Man charged with smuggling ten live birds through Miami International Airport
Customs officials discovered six plastic containers hidden in a passenger’s underwear that held ten live songbirds after a secondary inspection at Miami International Airport.
Inspection and discovery
Customs and Border Protection officers selected Alberto Hernandez Castillo for a secondary inspection after noticing an “unexplained bulge” near his waist. A pat‑down revealed six plastic containers sewn into pockets in his underwear, which contained ten live birds – eight yellow‑faced grassquits and two blue grosbeaks.
Passenger background and travel
Castillo, a legal permanent resident of the United States, arrived from Havana, Cuba at Miami International Airport. One source states the arrival was on Oct. 4, while other reports say he arrived on a Sunday.
Legal actions
Castillo signed a customs declaration indicating he was not bringing animals or wildlife into the United States and was later charged with smuggling goods. He was released on a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 26 according to several reports.
What's still unclear
Sources differ on the exact arrival date, with one reporting Oct. 4 and others referring only to a Sunday arrival.