U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa passenger port of entry last week found 159 pounds of concealed iguana meat hidden in coolers underneath fish.
At about 3:30 p.m. on June 7, a 37-year-old male U.S. citizen arrived at vehicle processing at the Otay Mesa passenger port of entry. He declared bringing fish from Mexico with him, and the CBP officer referred him aside for further inspection.
As part of their inspection, CBP officers examined three large coolers. Inside the coolers, CBP officers found fish meat on top, with iguana meat hidden underneath, concealed under the fish.
CBP officers contacted U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents, who responded to the border crossing and charged the man with criminal activity.
CBP officers seized a total of 159 pounds of iguana meat, which was turned over to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents.
