Jakarta, ThedailyID — A man was arrested at Miami International Airport after allegedly smuggling 10 live birds from Cuba inside his underwear.
Alberto Hernandez Castillo arrived in Miami on Sunday, October 4. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers reportedly became suspicious after noticing an “unexplained bulge” on his body.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE, officers selected Castillo for a secondary inspection. When asked about his belongings, he mentioned only a carry-on bag and a waist bag.
Castillo also completed a customs declaration form. He answered “no” to every question, including whether he was carrying animals or wildlife into the United States.
During routine questioning, Castillo told officers he had traveled to Cuba to visit family. Officers then escorted him to a secure area for a physical inspection.
There, they discovered six clear cylindrical plastic containers wrapped in tape. Some containers also had black mesh covering their openings.
The containers were concealed inside a black pouch sewn into Castillo’s underwear. Each container held live birds.
Authorities found 10 birds in total, including eight yellow-faced grassquits and two blue grosbeaks.
According to WPLG Local 10, both species commonly appear in the illegal bird trade. Castillo also failed to produce the documents required to legally import the wildlife into the United States.
During the inspection, Castillo reportedly said he had brought the birds for “personal use.” He then exercised his right to remain silent.
Authorities charged Castillo with smuggling goods. He is a Cuban native and a lawful permanent resident of the United States.
Court records show that Castillo appeared before a federal court in Miami. The court released him on a US$25,000 personal recognizance bond, meaning he did not have to pay the full amount upfront to secure his release.
His initial court hearing is scheduled for October 26. The allegations remain subject to the legal process.
