Man Smuggles Birds...In His Underwear

[bloodrayne]

Man Accused Of Smuggling Birds From Cuba In His Underwear

There really was a bird in his pants. Two, in fact.

Miami, Florida - Federal court papers unsealed on Monday charge Giraldo Wong with smuggling two tiny songbirds from Cuba in his underwear, then lying about it on a customs form, according to the U.S Attorney's Office.

Wong and five others were charged in a separate 21-count indictment, also unsealed Monday, with dealing in protected species of migratory birds. Each trafficking count is punishable by up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Wong faces an additional 10 years in prison and $500,000 fine.

The hummingbird-sized Cuban grassquits that Wong got caught with May 6 at Miami International Airport were headed for an underground bird market in Hialeah, authorities said.

Federal and state agents raided the market Sunday, arresting three people. Two others were arrested later at home, and suspect Francisco Corrales remained at large Monday.

The market was packed Sunday with up to 70 bird enthusiasts, said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Capt. Jeff Ardelean.

"Anyone we found in possession of a bird they couldn't have was issued a citation," Ardelean said. "The rest were educated and released. We educated a lot of people."

Besides the tucked-in-trousers method, the market received its stock through illegal trapping, Ardelean said. The birds fetch between $60 and $200 depending on the species, he said.

Agents seized several indigo and painted buntings, blue grosbeaks and northern cardinals, he said. The birds, which are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, were photographed and released, he said.

The act makes it illegal to possess, sell or buy certain birds, such as those found Sunday. None of them is an endangered species.

The law was enacted 90 years ago because people were hunting birds almost to extinction for commercial purposes.

Some birds' blue and crimson feathers were used in hats and fashion items, and other colorful birds were stuffed and mounted for decoration.

"Back then, the birds in South Florida almost went to extinction," Ardelean said.

"The commercial demand was so high ... it was harmful to the birds. They have a tough enough time with hurricanes and everything else."

[jenni]

Wow... where do you get this stuff?

[ItsAlive75]

I bet he didn't keep any "woodpeckers" down there....


EH?

[slasherman]

[MichaelMyers]

<<< once had a monkey fly out of ass.