Homeland Security uncovers 'illegal tamales' at LAX

NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents seized 450 pork meat tamales at Los Angeles International Airport.  They said a passenger arriving from Mexico was carrying them into their luggage.

The Feds say the passenger put on a customs declaration that they were carrying food, but said they did not contain pork meat.

“Although tamales are a popular holiday tradition, foreign meat products can carry serious animal diseases," said Director Anne Maricich.

The traveler, who was not identified, was fined $1,000. The pork meat tamales were seized and destroyed.