Man Arrested for Attempting to Smuggle 10 Live Birds in Pants at Miami Border

A passenger attempting to enter the U.S. was apprehended at Miami border control after officers discovered ten live birds concealed within his pants. The individual, identified as Alberto Hernandez Castillo, originally from Cuba, was flagged for a secondary inspection due to an "unexplained bulge" in his waist and pelvic area and nervous demeanor.

During the inspection on October 4, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found six plastic tubes wrapped in tape, which were sewn into Castillo's trousers. Each tube contained live birds, totaling ten specimens. The species included eight yellow-faced Grassquits and two Blue Grosbeaks, both common in the illegal bird trade.

Castillo had filled out a declaration form, answering "no" to all questions, including whether he was bringing any wildlife into the country. When questioned, he reportedly stated he was visiting family in Cuba and that the birds were for "personal use" before invoking his right to remain silent. He was subsequently charged with smuggling goods.

He appeared in Miami federal court and was released on a $5,000 personal surety bond. His arraignment is scheduled for October 26.

This incident is part of a larger trend of wildlife smuggling. In a separate case last year, border officials intercepted a car in Britain containing over 2,000 live tarantulas valued at approximately $84,000, along with other intercepted items such as an elephant hair ring, king cobra balm, and a blacktip shark jaw. These seizures, part of an international operation, indicated a 73% increase in wildlife smuggling compared to the previous year, with officials also noting a rise in spider trafficking.