WorldCrime Affects United States and Cuba

21 live birds seized from underwear at Miami airport

Published 13h ago · Latest report 1h ago

Covered in 3 countries

AI summary37s readNeutral

Customs agents caught two passengers smuggling 21 live birds in their underwear at Miami airport.

Federal authorities at Miami International Airport intercepted two separate passengers traveling from Cuba who attempted to smuggle live birds into the country. The travelers hid the animals inside their underwear and clothing items. Wildlife inspectors seized a total of 21 birds during the operations.

The seized animalsTwenty-one live birds were recovered across the two separate passenger luggage and clothing inspections.
The originBoth suspects arrived on flights originating from Havana, Cuba, days apart from one another.
The enforcementCustoms and Border Protection officers and Fish and Wildlife Service agents handled the interdictions.

By the numbers

21live birds found

10birds found on first passenger

Why it matters

Wildlife trafficking remains a persistent challenge for federal agriculture and customs inspectors at major international gateways. Smuggling protected or unchecked species evades quarantine protocols and poses biosecurity risks to native ecosystems.