Agriculture Avengers: Defenders of America’s Ag Industry

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KSWT, KYMA) - Yuma and Imperial Valley rightfully earn the top spot in Arizona and 3rd in the nation as the biggest supplier and grower of vegetables. 

The multi-million dollar industry contributes to the local economy but it is also one of the biggest targets for Agroterrorism. 

13 On Your Side goes inside two of our local ports of entry that destroy confiscated agriculture, we give you access to the place where no one besides Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers is allowed. 

An exclusive look into where confiscated fruits, vegetables and meats go to be destroyed. All in the name of defending the well-being, quality and success of our nation’s agriculture industry.

CBP Agriculture Operations Manager Leslie Gomez-Montez says, “The agriculture industry is largest employer sector with more than 1 trillion dollars in economic activity annually, the biggest threat to the success of this industry are exotic plant pest and foreign animal diseases”

Agriculture Avengers takes you through the process that CBP takes to destroy these confiscated items from the moment they’re ceased to the moment they face a final fate.