Undeclared iguana meat seized at Texas-Mexico border

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Nearly 60 pounds of exotic reptile meat was seized by customs officials on a bus at the Texas-Mexico border on Sunday.

While doing a security sweep at the Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers said anomalies with two ice chests led them to discover 58 pounds of alleged iguana meat that had not been declared.

The meat had been mixed with masa, a dough made of cornmeal, and was apparently being turned into tamales.

Iguana is a delicacy in many Central American countries and is considered to be a curer of all ills as well as an aphrodesiac.

The CBP office said the iguana meat has an estimated value of $1,560, though iguana prices domestically vary widely. A quick search on the Internet showed prices ranging from $15 per pound to more than $50 per pound.

Full Story: Undeclared iguana meat seized at Texas-Mexico border