Man Tries To Smuggle 2 Parrots Hidden Inside Shoe Box From Mexico Into US
EL PASO, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at ports of entry in El Paso, west Texas and New Mexico seized a wide variety of items during the last seven days, including drugs, unreported currency, prohibited food products and more.
"The vast majority of the thousands of people CBP officers encounter on a daily basis are involved in legitimate trade and travel," said CBP El Paso Director of Field Operation Hector Mancha. "However the attention to detail and professionalism exhibited by the CBP workforce will routinely identify and uncover those who choose to participate in illegal activity."
One of the most unusual seizures of the week happened March 8 at the Columbus port of entry in southern New Mexico when CBP officers encountered a man attempting to smuggle two parrots from Mexico to the U.S. CBP officers were performing a primary inspection of a vehicle that arrived from Palomas and received a negative declaration for any plants, food or animals. The driver said that he had nothing to declare.
The vehicle was referred for a secondary exam during which a CBP agriculture specialists found a shoe box hidden beneath the center console of the car. When they opened the box they discovered two live birds. The driver of the car abandoned the birds and was assessed a $300 civil penalty. The parrots were seized and turned over to USDA veterinary services for processing. The seized birds were confirmed by U.S. Fish & Wildlife as CITES I species, Lilac-Crowned Parrots (Amazona finschi).
In addition to the birds, officers made 21 drug seizures this week. The contraband included methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana. They also seized prohibited medications from four border crossers.
Nineteen people with National Crime Information Center warrants were arrested as well. Enforcement activity also included five seizures of unreported currency, one ammunition seizure, and three export violations.
CBP agriculture specialists assessed penalties in nine cases this week during which travelers attempted to import prohibited items like mangos, poultry, fresh eggs, pork oranges, avocados, peppers and live plants.
