Fowl Play: Airport Security Finds 10 Live Birds Hidden in Passenger's Underwear

When going through TSA, most air passengers dump everyday items like cell phones, wallets and keys in the bin.

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A traveler at Miami International Airport failed to follow protocol, and airport security unearthed a shocking discovery stuffed in his underwear.

Alberto Hernandez Castillo, a Cuban national with lawful permanent residence in the United States, arrived on a flight from Havana, Cuba.

Upon arrival, a US Customs and Border Protection agent noticed that Castillo looked nervous. The agent also noted that he had a bulge in his pants.

The agent searched his carry-on bag and fanny pack but didn't find anything noteworthy.

When Castillo was brought to a room for a pat-down, the agent was shocked to find a horde of live birds hidden in his pants.

Authorities said that Castillo had six plastic containers tucked into sewn pockets inside his underwear. Each container contained at least one live bird.

Man Tries to Smuggle Live Birds in His Pants

Authorities stated that he carried yellow-faced grassquits and two blue grosbeaks. Each bird species is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. The birds were allegedly brought into the country without the required documentation.

Castillo is charged with smuggling goods into the United States and was released on a $25,000 bond.

The Cuban native was not the first traveler detained for trying to hide illegal items in his clothing.

Earlier this year, a traveler at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia, attempted to impersonate a pilot and smuggle drugs onto a plane.

His plan quickly went south when airport officials noticed his pilot uniform didn't have the proper decals. Plus, the uniform didn't fit him comfortably because of the 22 pounds of cocaine he had stashed underneath.

In a video posted to

The phony pilot was later identified as Spanish national Carlos Barbería Hernando. He was reportedly attempting to catch a flight to Barcelona, Spain. 

Barbería Hernando was subsequently taken into custody by the Attorney General's Office. He will face charges of drug trafficking, manufacturing or possession of narcotics, per El Tiempo.