A 40-year-old Cuban permanent resident of the United States was arrested on Sunday at Miami International Airport (MIA) after federal agents discovered, according to a criminal complaint, 10 live birds inside plastic tubes hidden in his underwear.
The man, identified in court documents by the initials A.H.C., arrived on a World Atlantic Airlines flight from Havana, according to a federal criminal complaint obtained by Local10.
According to the document, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent observed "an unexplained bulge in the front pelvic/waist area" of the passenger and noted that "he appeared nervous."
The traveler had declared that he had nothing to report. During a subsequent search, the agents claimed to have found six transparent plastic cylindrical containers, wrapped in tape and covered with mesh material at the openings, hidden in pockets sewn into the underwear.
According to the report, inside the tubes, there were eight tomaquines and two blue jays, species protected in the United States under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Authorities assert that the man did not present any documentation that authorized the importation of the birds.
During the interrogation, A.H.C. initially stated that the birds were for "personal use" and later invoked his right to remain silent, according to the report.
The Cuban appeared on Monday before a federal court in Miami and was released on a personal recognizance bond of $25,000. He faces a federal charge related to the alleged smuggling of goods.
A previously detected pattern between Cuba and Miami
The clandestine transport of birds between Cuba and Florida has been detected on several occasions by the authorities.
In 2016, another Cuban was intercepted at MIA with nine birds, including a tomeguín and a blue grosbeak, which authorities stated were hidden in plastic tubes within his clothing and a fanny pack.
In August 2025, a 22-year-old Cuban was arrested at Miami Airport after authorities claimed to have found 40 live birds hidden in his body.
Months later, in February of this year, Cuban customs authorities reported that they thwarted an attempt to smuggle 28 birds hidden in tubes attached to the body of a passenger at José Martí International Airport in Havana.
In addition to the potential harm to animals during transportation, U.S. authorities warn that the entry of birds without the appropriate health controls can pose a risk due to the possible transmission of avian diseases.
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