U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) says that they recently seized a large shipment of “altered and prohibited” household cleaning items at a Texas border crossing.
The tampered goods discover was made on March 16 at the Bridge of the Americas commercial import facility at the El Paso port of entry in Texas.
#CBP Officers in El Paso Seize Large Shipment of Altered and Prohibited Household Cleaning Products. More: https://t.co/B3vLVfW7P1 pic.twitter.com/BpP3x4Efo1
— CBP West Texas (@CBPWestTexas) March 20, 2020
CBP says that a truck crossing from Mexico into the U.S. was selected for inspection.
The truck driver presented agents with a manifest showing that he was hauling cleaning supplies and toilet paper.
CBP explains how investigators discovered that the cleaning supplies had been altered.
…officers selected the shipment for inspection and found that it contained 168 boxes of Clorox bleach (127 oz.), 75 boxes of Pinol cleaner (33.81 oz.), 28 boxes of Fabuloso cleaner (169 oz.), 23 boxes of Pinol cleaner (27.99 oz.), 9 boxes of Clorox cleaner (31.44 oz.), and 20 boxes of Adorable brand toilet paper.
During a dock exam of the products inspection, CBP officers and National Guard soldiers noted that many of the bottles had no safety seals and appeared to have been tampered with. Bottles containing bleach also lacked the familiar bleach scent.
Initial field-testing showed that the products contained water. Further CBP laboratory testing indicated that the primary ingredient in many of the items sampled was only water and not what labeling suggested. A representative from the Clorox Company also advised CBP that the Spanish labeled product was not permitted for sale in the U.S. and importation is a violation.
All of the cleaning items were seized by federal authorities as part of the investigation into the incident.
“In the current environment it is reprehensible that someone would attempt a scheme like this to prey upon the concerns and fears of our community, likely for financial gain,” said CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha. “Our officers remain focused and attentive to all threats they may encounter.”