A passenger’s odd appearance at Florida airport leads officers to find 10 live birds in his underwear

A routine airport inspection took an unexpected turn when the officers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Miami International Airport noticed an “unexplained bulge” around a passenger’s waist and pelvic area, according to a federal complaint obtained by Fox News.

Alberto Hernandez Castillo, a Cuban native and legal permanent resident of the United States. arrived at the airport on a flight from Havana after he said he was visiting his family. Castillo had signed a customs declaration stating that he wasn’t bringing any animals or wildlife into the country. Officers first searched his carry-on bag and fanny pack but found nothing suspicious.

The officers asked him routine questions about his trip when they noticed that Castillo allegedly ‘appeared nervous.’ They then conducted a pat-down. Upon the search, they reportedly found six clear cylindrical containers. These were allegedly wrapped in tape and tucked inside sewn black pockets in Castillo’s underwear.

He could be smuggling birds

The containers allegedly contained 10 live birds, and eight of them were identified as yellow-faced grassquits, while the other two were blue grosbeaks. When authorities questioned him about the birds, Castillo allegedly said they were for his ‘personal use.’ Smuggling living creatures, like reptiles and birds, under clothes is not a new idea, but it has not been easy to get through customs. Plus, body scanners can detect animals too.

He then used his right to remain silent. The complaint said that there is no evidence, “based on the records available at the time of inspection,” that the man “submitted the documentation required for the lawful importation of wildlife.”

He was then charged with smuggling goods into the country, and the court records also recommend setting a $25,000 personal surety bond for Castillo. He is also set to be back in court later this month. According to ABC News, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it is also investigating the incident.

According to The Federal Criminal Attorneys, smuggling goods into the United States can get you up to 20 years in prison, along with a fine. ‘Bypassing the accepted import channels by smuggling compromises consumer safety (often by importing illegal contraband), defrauds the government of tariff revenues, etc. For this reason, smuggling goods into the United States is a serious federal crime under Title 18 U.S.C. 545,’ it says.