SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa and San Ysidro Ports of Entry discovered 28 parrots and three chickens during two recent smuggling attempts.
The first incident occurred on April 30 at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry after CBP officers encountered a 51-year-old man trying to drive into the U.S.
Officers referred the man to secondary inspection.
According to CBP, as the driver stepped out of the vehicle, an officer noticed unusual clothing bulges around the driver’s ankle.
The officer conducted a safety pat-down and discovered six undeclared live parrots concealed within the driver’s boots.
Officers detained the driver before further inspecting the vehicle and discovering six additional undeclared parrots near the front passenger seat, two of which were dead.
The second smuggling incident occurred on May 4, at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
While inspecting a vehicle in the secondary evaluation area, officers noticed a blanket in the trunk of the car and discovered two cages underneath it.
One cage reportedly contained 16 undeclared, live parakeets while the second cage contained three live chickens.
The driver and his passengers were detained and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Wildlife Services for further investigation.
“The smuggling of birds is extremely dangerous. Birds can also be hosts for a variety of diseases that can threaten native wildlife and U.S. agricultural industries, potentially causing widespread economic consequences,” said San Diego Director of Field Operations Sidney Aki. “Our officers remain vigilant in identifying and stopping wildlife trafficking and in coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife and ensure traffickers are held accountable for their actions under current wildlife protection laws.”
CBP says the parrots and chickens were placed in a secure and safe area where they will remain under quarantine by U.S. Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services to ensure they are not affected by avian disease.
According to CBP, drivers must declare the presence of all bird species upon reaching inspection areas at ports of entry.
