By Alec Fernandes
Forget a parrot on the shoulder—one passenger at Miami International Airport allegedly had 10 live birds tucked away in his underpants. After returning from a trip to Cuba last Sunday, 40-year-old Alberto Hernandez Castillo reportedly told customs officers he had no animals or wildlife to declare. However, officials noticed an unexplained bulge near his waist and observed that he appeared nervous. A subsequent pat-down uncovered six plastic tubes concealed in pockets sewn into his underwear, each containing live birds.
Authorities identified eight of the birds as yellow-faced grassquits and two as blue grosbeaks. Both species are associated with the illegal bird trade, where these animals may be sold as pets or for singing competitions. Wildlife experts have noted this specific haul was worth up to $100,000, but Hernandez Castillo allegedly told officers the birds were for his "personal use." He was charged with smuggling goods into the United States and released on a $25,000 bond, with an arraignment scheduled for October 26.
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