A man returning from Cuba was arrested at Miami International Airport after he was found smuggling live birds in his underwear, authorities said.
Alberto Hernandez Castillo was charged with smuggling goods into the United States.
According to authorities, on Monday, Hernandez Castillo, who is a Cuban and a legal permanent resident of the U.S., arrived at MIA on Atlantic Flight 503 from Havana.
A complaint said that Hernandez Castillo was picked for a second inspection by a U.S. Customs and Border Protections officer.
During the inspection, Hernandez Castillo said he had one carry-on and one fanny pack, and was given a Customs Entry Form, which he answered no to all questions related to bringing any animals or wildlife into the U.S., the complaint said.
When the officer searched Hernandez Castillo’s belongings, the complaint said, there was no contraband.
When officers asked about his travel, they noticed that Hernandez Castillo had an unexplained bulge on the front of his waistband, and he appeared to get nervous, the complaint said.
Officers then performed a pat-down and found that Hernandez Castillo was hiding six cylindrical clear plastic containers that were wrapped in tape and sewn into his underwear, the complaint said.
After examining the tubes, the complaint said, each tube held live birds.
Hernandez Castillo had a total of 10 birds that he hid in those tubes, and he claimed that they were for his “Personal use,” the complaint said.
It was determined that Hernandez Castillo did not have the proper documents to import the birds, and he was arrested.