A man who allegedly tried to smuggle a dozen parakeets over the border – 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 12 protected Orange-fronted Parakeets found died during Tuesday’s alleged smuggling attempt. A third suffered a possible broken neck and others appeared in poor health.
Prosecutors said Mexican citizen Lajud Libien, 54, was sent to secondary inspection just after 3 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/308PZNfdUV— World birds (@worldbirds32) May 12, 2024
A Border 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 some of their injuries, prosecutors said.
Other birds were allegedly heard crying inside Libien’s impounded Jeep Grand Cherokee on Wednesday. Upon dismantling the vehicle, officials found six more parakeets, also wrapped in panty hose and tied, inside a seat cushion.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said 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 20 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 Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) since 2005.
