Authorities said a woman was busted this week for allegedly trying to smuggle five live parrots into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry discovered the birds hidden in the truck bed of her vehicle during a meticulous check on April 30.

Applying for admission into the U.S. from Mexico around 6 p.m., the 36-year-old driver was pulled aside for inspection in her 2007 pick-up, a routine stop that quickly escalated when officers encountered more than personal belongings. According to a statement obtained by the CBP, a cursory inspection initially revealed hidden live birds concealed cunningly within two stacked 5-gallon buckets.

Deepening their investigation in a secondary inspection area, CBP officers uncovered five live parrots, confirming suspicions of wildlife smuggling. "The illegal engagement of animal trafficking has harmful impacts to wildlife and may result in civil fines and criminal prosecution," Rosa E. Hernandez, Port Director for the Otay Mesa and Tecate Ports of Entry, said via the CBP news report. She affirmed that comprehensive laws to protect wildlife are upheld through collaborations with the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Homeland Security Investigations and Fish and Wildlife Services were notified, and the woman was taken into custody for further interrogation. Swarming around the suspected smuggler, USDA Veterinary Services quarantined the parrots in a safe area, ensuring avian disease had not infected them.

Reminding the public of the stringent regulations surrounding wildlife import, CBP stressed the importance of proper procedures to protect the country's biodiversity and economy. As America’s frontline agency, CBP boasts over 65,000 members dedicated to enforcing laws that govern the safety and legality of the nation's trade and travel.