Man caught smuggling 10 live birds in his underwear at Miami airport

Alberto Hernandez Castillo was arrested at Miami International Airport after CBP agents found 10 live birds sewn into plastic tubes hidden in his underwear.

Live birds found sewn into underwear at Miami International Airport

Alberto Hernandez Castillo was arrested at Miami International Airport on Sunday after Customs and Border Protection agents discovered 10 live birds concealed in his underwear, abc7ny.com reports, citing federal prosecutors.

Hernandez Castillo had arrived from Cuba, telling CBP officers he had been visiting family there and had not brought any animals or wildlife into the United States. Agents grew suspicious after noticing an unexplained bulge at the front of his waist area and observing that he appeared nervous, according to court documents from the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.

Officers escorted Hernandez Castillo to a secure area and conducted a pat-down. They found six plastic tubes sewn directly into his underwear, each containing live birds. Eight of the birds were identified as yellow-faced grassquits and two as blue grosbeaks.

When questioned, Hernandez Castillo reportedly told officers the birds were for his "personal use."

He has been charged with smuggling goods into the United States. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it is also investigating the case. ABC News contacted his public defender but received no response. The current status of the birds remains unknown.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)