A man was arrested at Miami International Airport in Florida after security noticed a bulge in his pants that turned out to be wildlife he was trying to smuggle into the United States from Cuba.
Alberto Hernandez Castillo — who People reports is a native of Cuba and a legal permanent resident of the United States — arrived in Miami from Cuba on Sunday, October 4. The outlet reports U.S. Customs and Border Protection selected him for secondary inspection and ran him through all the necessary questions about what he was bringing into the United States.
He reportedly declared a carry-on bag and a fanny pack, and filled out a form selecting “no” to all declaration questions about animal wildlife. However, when asked about an unexplained bulge in his clothing, the outlet reports that Castillo became nervous. He was taken for a security pat-down, which is when investigators discovered he was indeed hiding something — 10 things, actually.
United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Under his clothes, he was attempting to conceal six cylindrical clear plastic containers, each one wrapped in tape with some black mesh material affixed near the openings, presumably so the 10 birds inside the containers could breathe. The tubes were all hidden in black pockets that were reportedly sewn into his underwear.
WPLG Local 10 reports that the birds were eight yellow-faced grassquits and two blue grosbeaks, which are typically common in the illegal bird trade. The outlet reports that Castillo said the birds were for his personal use before invoking his right to remain silent. He has since been released on a $25,000 personal surety bond.
He is due to appear in Miami Federal Court in the coming days.
This story Man Caught Smuggling 10 Birds Through Miami Airport After Security Found Bulge in His Pants first appeared on National Enquirer. Follow National Enquirer on Yahoo so you don’t miss what’s coming next.