A passenger with an ‘unexplained bulge’ had 10 live birds stuffed down his pants as he tried to sneak them past border control.
Alberto Hernandez Castillo was flagged by customs officers for a search after they noticed something suspicious below the waist.
According to reports, officers noticed he was nervous and that he had an ‘unexplained bulge’ in the pelvis and waist area.
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Border control took him to a separate inspection area where Castillo was found hiding six plastic tubes wrapped in tape – which were sewn into his pants.
Each tube contained live birds with a total of 10 found on him.
The traveller, originally from Cuba, jetted into Miami on 4 Oct where he was stopped and searched, as reported by Need To Know.
The species included eight yellow-faced Grassquits and two Blue Grosbeaks – two of the most common types in the illegal bird trade.
The shocking discovery was made after he was selected for a secondary inspection.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers gave him a document to declare any items he was taking into the US.
Castillo ticked no to all questions – even ones asking whether he was bringing any wildlife into the country.
He reportedly told the officer that he had been to Cuba to visit his family.
The man claimed that the birds were for ‘personal use’ before invoking his right to remain silent.
Officers charged him with smuggling goods.
Castillo appeared in Miami federal court and was released on a $25,000 personal surety bond.
His arraignment date is set for 26 Oct.
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