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All the talk so far this year has been about fentanyl being smuggled into the US, but there’s something else that’s causing problems.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports that, so far this fiscal year, they've seized more eggs than fentanyl at the borders, and it’s not even close.
Specifically, there were 5,572 interceptions of egg products from December through February, surpassing the 413 seizures involving fentanyl during that same period.
The surge in egg smuggling is linked to a severe avian flu outbreak, which has devastated the U.S. poultry industry leading to soaring egg prices and shortages in some areas.
The San Diego field office of CBP has reported a 158-percent increase in egg interceptions since fiscal year 2024.
Many travelers are unaware that bringing fresh eggs, raw chicken, or live birds into the U.S. from Mexico is prohibited due to health risks.
Officials warn that importing such items can worsen the spread of diseases like bird flu.
You can add “egg smuggling” to the list of new activities in 2025.