Miami International Airport agents intercept smuggled live birds

Customs agents at Miami International Airport intercepted two separate incidents of live bird smuggling involving passengers hiding animals under their clothing.

In one instance, Alberto Hernandez Castillo, 40, was caught after agents noticed an unusual bulge in his clothing. A search revealed six plastic tubes containing ten live birds, including eight yellow-faced seedeaters and two blue grosbeaks, sewn into his underwear. Castillo, who arrived from Cuba, claimed the birds were for personal use but lacked the necessary legal documentation. He was charged with illegal importation and released on a $25,000 bond.

These species are frequently targeted for illegal trade in the United States, often being sold as pets or used in other illicit markets.