‘Unexplained Bulge’ Reveals 10 Live Birds Stuffed Down Cuban Flyer’s Pants at MIA, Feds Say
Authorities said the birds were concealed in sewn-in tubes and Castillo lacked import documents, leading to a smuggling charge.
- On Sunday, October 4, Alberto Hernandez Castillo was arrested at Miami International Airport after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 10 live birds hidden in plastic tubes sewn into his underwear upon arrival from Havana.
- Castillo appeared nervous and exhibited an 'unexplained bulge' while answering routine questions after arriving on Atlantic Flight 503, having falsely indicated on his Customs Entry Form that he was not bringing wildlife into the United States.
- A pat-down uncovered six plastic tubes containing eight yellow-faced grassquits and two blue grosbeaks. Castillo initially told officers the birds were for his 'personal use' but later declined to answer further questions, invoking his right to remain silent.
- Authorities charged Castillo with smuggling goods into the United States, and a federal court released the Cuban national on a $25,000 personal surety bond as legal proceedings advance.
- Castillo's arraignment is scheduled for October 26. While investigators have not established intent to sell, both yellow-faced grassquits and blue grosbeaks are frequently smuggled into the United States for illegal pet trade.
37 Articles
37 Articles
Man Arrested at Miami Airport After 'Unexplained Bulge' Turned Out to Be 10 Live Birds
“Is that 10 live birds in your pocket or are you happy to see me?” is not a line anyone involved in this story actually said, but it would’ve been fitting, as it pertains to a man who attempted to smuggle 10 birds in his pants after landing on a flight from Cuba to Miami. […]
A man from Cuba tried to smuggle ten live birds into the United States using a strange method.
Man Arrested At Miami Airport After 'Unexplained Bulge' In His Pants Ended Up Being A Bunch Of Live Birds
Criminals can get very creative when it comes to dreaming up ways to successfully smuggle items across international borders. However, some opt for the “Stuff Some Stuff In Your Pants” strategy and hope for the best, an approach that recently led to an unexpected discovery at Miami International Airport. Drug trafficking is probably the first […]
There are strict import regulations in the US regarding live animals. A man knows that well and therefore tries to bring birds into the country in a special way. His behavior makes him fly.
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