US EditionBizarre Border Busts: Parrots found stuffed in boots, chickens in trunk
- On April 30, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection stopped a 51-year-old man at Otay Mesa Port trying to smuggle parrots inside his boots and vehicle.
- Agents noticed unusual bulges around the man’s ankles and later found six live parrots hidden in his boots and six undeclared parrots inside the car, two of which were dead.
- The seized birds were held in isolation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Veterinary Services to prevent potential transmission of avian illnesses.
- Sidney Aki, CBP San Diego director, stated that smuggling birds is extremely dangerous because they can carry diseases threatening native wildlife and U.S. Agriculture.
- This incident highlights ongoing enforcement efforts to stop wildlife trafficking at the U.S.-Mexico border to protect ecological and economic interests.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Man stuffed 6 parrots in his boots in bizarre border smuggling attempt, officials say
A man was caught attempting to smuggle parrots into California after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers noticed 'unusual clothing bulges' around his ankles, authorities said.
Parrots, chickens found being smuggled at Otay Mesa Port of Entry
SAN DIEGO (KYMA, KECY) - Officers found a group of animals suspected of being smuggled at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The first discovery was on April 30, at about 11:29 a.m., officers stopped a 51-year-old man driving an SUV into the U.S. through the Otay Mesa Point of Entry. Officers asked the man to step out of the vehicle and noticed clothing bulges around the driver's ankle. Six live p…
CBP officers thwart suspected attempts to smuggle 28 parrots, 3 chickens
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in San Diego recently seized 28 parrots and three chickens suspected of being smuggled in two separate attempts. In a news release Thursday, CBP said the first suspected attempt happened on April 30 around 11:30 a.m. at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Officers conducted an inspection of a 51-year-old man driving an SUV while he was applying for admission to the U.S. from Mexico. …
28 parrots, 3 chickens seized at California ports of entry
SAN DIEGO (Border Report) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa and San Ysidro Ports of Entry discovered 28 parrots and three chickens during two recent smuggling attempts. The first incident occurred on April 30 at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry after CBP officers encountered a 51-year-old man trying to drive into the U.S. Officers referred the man to secondary inspection. According to CBP, as the driver stepped out of th…
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