U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Hidalgo Port of Entry had a feathery find this past weekend – intercepting 20 undeclared parrots and arresting a 22-year-old woman attempting to bring them into the United States. The discovery was made at the Hidalgo International Bridge on Monday, when officers sent a 2022 Chevy Traverse, driven by a US citizen, for a thorough secondary inspection, as U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported.
During this follow-up check, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents uncovered the birds hidden in a bag inside the vehicle, and Port Director Carlos Rodriguez noted the vigilant efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and agriculture specialists who are steadfast in their mission even during the bustle of a heavy holiday weekend traffic. “Our frontline CBP officers and agriculture specialists continue to maintain resolute vigilance amid heavy holiday weekend traffic and that mission dedication led to the interception of 20 parrots,” Rodriguez said, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection remains committed to preventing the exploitation of protected animals and the spread of animal diseases, the intercepted parrots, protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, highlight the ongoing challenges of animal trafficking and disease prevention at US borders.
The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody as Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service launched a criminal investigation. In the aftermath, the parrots were not left to fend for themselves – but rather they were transported to a safe haven at Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, courtesy of Texas Game Wardens, as per the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized the vehicle as part of their standard process. They emphasized their ongoing mission to protect U.S. agriculture from harmful pests and diseases. Incidents like this highlight the constant work of CBP officers at all entry points—on land, by air, and at sea—including places like Hidalgo, where the fight against illegal trade and ecological threats continues every day.
