Man tries to enter U.S. with rare parakeets stuffed in boots, car seat

The Otay Mesa Port of Entry File photo courtesy GSA A man who allegedly tried to smuggle a dozen parakeets over the edge stuffed inside his boots and the seat of his car now faces federal charges According to the U S Attorney s Office at least two of the protected Orange-fronted Parakeets identified died during Tuesday s alleged smuggling attempt A third suffered a workable broken neck and others appeared in poor healthcare Prosecutors stated Mexican citizen Lajud Libien was sent to secondary inspection just after p m as he tried to enter the U S through the Otay Mesa Port of Entry Orange-fronted Parakeet Eupsittula canicularis ENDANGERED pic twitter com PZNfdUV World birds worldbirds May A Dividing line Patrol officer saw bulges around Libien s ankles and later discovered three birds wrapped in panty hose within each of his boots The birds were tied at their feet which may have caused certain of their injuries prosecutors reported Other birds were allegedly heard crying inside Libien s impounded Jeep Grand Cherokee on Wednesday Upon dismantling the motorcycle administrators located six more parakeets also wrapped in panty hose and tied inside a seat cushion The U S Attorney s Office mentioned the animals should have been quarantined before entering the U S a requirement aimed at preventing the transmission of diseases like avian flu Libien faces a charge of importation contrary to law which carries a maximum sentence of years in prison Orange-fronted Parakeets Eupsittula canicularis are native to Western Mexico and Costa Rica The parakeet is protected and has been listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Deal in Endangered Species CITES since