dailynewsnblog
A male traveler was arrested at 
Miami International Airport (MIA) recently, after it was claimed that he was attempting to smuggle 10 live birds in his underwear. The strange occurrence happened after the individual had flown on a nonstop flight from Cuba, before arriving at the Florida airport and being detained by US Customs and Border Protection.
The individual was selected by CBP agents for a secondary inspection and was found to be carrying the birds in his underpants. Hernandez Castillo had been visiting family in Cuba, was traveling to the United States with a carry-on and a fanny pack, and had declared ‘no’ to all declaration questions.
Selected By CBP Agents After Observing An Unexplained Bulge
Castillo had been identified by CBP as having an unexplained bulge in his front pelvis area, and was noted to be appearing rather nervous as he was clearing the border. In a report by ABC News, Castillo was then taken to a secure area where a pat-down was undertaken. During this process, it was identified that six plastic tubes were sewn into his underwear.
Within the tubes, there were live birds inside. A number of these birds were yellow-faced Grassquits, and others were Blue Grosbeaks. The Grosbeaks are a protected bird by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and are not permitted to be a pet in the US without a federal permit. Castillo confirmed to the CBP that the birds were planned to be for personal use.
Castillo was required to appear in the Miami Federal Court, where he was then released on a $25,000 personal surety bond, and was charged with smuggling goods. Castillo’s arraignment is booked for October 26.
A Similar Incident Occurred on Tuesday On A Flight From Cuba
Earlier in the week, another traveler arriving in Miami was also arrested. Robert Perez Quincosa arrived at Miami International Airport on Tuesday and had a belt-like garment that was housing 11 live birds. The tubes within the belt were made using a hair roller with holes, and then capped with netting material.
As suggested by Global News, Quincosa transported six Cuban Melodious finches and five Cuban Bull finches, and according to the report, Quincosa told the officer that he knew that bringing birds into the US was unlawful, and his intentions were to breed these and sell domestically. Quincosa was charged with smuggling goods.
Why You Cannot Bring Birds Into The United States
Bringing birds into the United States is tightly controlled and strictly regulated, and often prohibited. This is controlled under agencies such as the US Customs and Border Protection and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (also known as APHIS). A key reason is that these are restricted, as they can carry diseases or threaten other endangered species. Details below as per APHIS:
Disease Prevention | Foreign birds can carry diseases that can threaten domestic US poultry or native wildlife. This sees APHIS actively ban the import of avian commodities where there may be active outbreaks. |
|---|---|
Conservation Laws | Many birds are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, or the Wild Bird Conservation Act. This results in a need for special permits for individuals to obtain. |
Invasive Species | There is a risk that non-native or wild-caught birds may escape or be released and then compete with native species, while spreading parasites. |
Quarantine | There are strict quarantine requirements for the few types of birds that are permitted. This requires an official USDA import permit and a government-issued health certificate before a 30-day quarantine at the owner’s expense at a designated USDA Animal Import Center. |
Classification Rules | Imports of more than six birds are classified as commercial imports rather than pet. This triggers commercial quarantine, testing, and facility requirements. |
Illegal importing of birds in a bid to bypass federal defenses can result in devastating biological and ecological impacts, and without regulatory controls, can see unverified and potentially unhealthy animals entering the country. The latest two incidents in Miami now see both men facing federal smuggling charges and reckless plans to sell these birds on the black market.
