A Miami International Airport passenger returning from Cuba was arrested after US Customs and Border Protection officers found 10 live birds concealed in plastic tubes sewn into his underwear.
asserted
officers → return → underwear
Alberto Hernandez Castillo, 40, a Cuban national and permanent resident of the US, arrived from Havana on October 4 aboard World Atlantic Flight 503 and was selected for a secondary inspection.
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Castillo → arrive → inspection
According to a federal criminal complaint, Castillo declared that he was not bringing animals or wildlife into the US.
uncertain
he → accord → US
Officers searching his luggage found no contraband, but then noticed an “unexplained bulge” around his waist and pelvic area.
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Officers → search → waist
A subsequent pat-down allegedly uncovered six concealed tubes containing the birds.
uncertain
down → uncover → birds
‘Unexplained bulge’ raises suspicion at Miami airport
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bulge → raise → airport
During the secondary inspection, Castillo reportedly told officers that he had travelled to Cuba to visit family and was carrying a carry-on bag and a fanny pack.
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he → tell → bag
He signed a Customs Entry Declaration in which he answered “No” when asked whether he was bringing animals or wildlife into the country, according to the complaint.
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he → sign → complaint
Officers searched his belongings but found nothing unusual.
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Officers → search → nothing
During further questioning, however, they noticed what the complaint described as an “unexplained bulge” at the front of his waist and pelvis.
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complaint → notice → waist
Officers also reported that he appeared nervous.
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he → report → ?
They then took him to a secure area for a pat-down.
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They → take → down
Six tubes were sewn into his underwear
The pat-down allegedly revealed six clear cylindrical plastic containers wrapped in tape and concealed inside black pockets sewn into Castillo's underwear.
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down → sew → underwear
The openings of the containers had black mesh attached to allow airflow.
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openings → have → airflow
Investigators preliminarily identified eight of them as yellow-faced grassquits (Tiaris olivaceus) and two as blue grosbeaks (Passerina caerulea).
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Investigators → identify → grosbeaks
Several of the birds were subsequently placed in a cage after being removed from the containers, according to ABC News.
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Several → place → News
Eight yellow-faced grassquits and two blue grosbeaks
The eight yellow-faced grassquits are small seed-eating birds found across parts of Central America, South America and the Caribbean, including Cuba.
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grassquits → eat → Cuba
The species were identified preliminarily by investigators following the discovery at the airport.
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species → identify → airport
CBS Miami reported that blue grosbeaks are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, meaning their transport requires the appropriate authorisation.
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transport → report → authorisation
Both species have also been associated with illegal bird trafficking, including trade for pets and singing competitions.
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species → associate → pets
He said the birds were for “personal use”
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birds → say → use
After the birds were discovered, Castillo allegedly told officers that they were for his “personal use”, according to the criminal complaint.
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they → discover → complaint
He then invoked his right to remain silent.
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He → invoke → right
Federal investigators said Castillo did not have the documentation required to legally import the birds into the US and had not obtained the necessary clearance from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
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Castillo → say → Service
He was subsequently charged with smuggling goods into the United States.
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He → charge → States
Following his arrest, Castillo appeared in federal court in Miami and was released on a $25,000 personal surety bond.
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Castillo → follow → bond
His arraignment is scheduled for October 26, 2026.
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arraignment → schedule → October
The US Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the incident.
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Service → investigate → incident
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