US Customs and Border Protection officers at Miami International Airport arrested Alberto Hernandez Castillo, 40, after finding ten live birds hidden in plastic tubes sewn into his underwear upon his return from Cuba on October 4. During a secondary inspection following an "unexplained bulge" noticed around his waist and pelvis, six clear cylindrical containers containing the birds were discovered. The species identified included eight yellow-faced grassquits and two blue grosbeaks, both of which are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-09,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On October 4, Alberto Hernandez Castillo, a Cuban native and legal permanent U.S. resident, arrived at Miami International Airport from Havana on World Atlantic Flight 503. After customs inspection of his carry-on bag and fanny pack yielded no contraband, CBP officers noticed an "unexplained bulge" around his waist during routine questioning. Castillo appeared nervous, leading to a pat-down that revealed six clear plastic tubes sewn into his underwear. Inside were 10 live birds: eight yellow-faced grassquits and two blue grosbeaks, typically sold in the illegal pet trade. The yellow-faced grassquits are small seed-eating birds native to parts of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean including Cuba.
Written for “Birds Smuggled Through Airport” on 2026-10-09,
grounded in this article and the 2 other(s) covering the same event.
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.
asserted
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.
asserted
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.
uncertain
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.
uncertain
he → sign → complaint
Officers searched his belongings but found nothing unusual.
asserted
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.
asserted
complaint → notice → waist
Officers also reported that he appeared nervous.
asserted
he → report → ?
They then took him to a secure area for a pat-down.
asserted
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.
uncertain
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.
uncertain
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”
asserted
birds → say → use
After the birds were discovered, Castillo allegedly told officers that they were for his “personal use”, according to the criminal complaint.
uncertain
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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