San Diego Man Charged With Smuggling 17 Birds Across Border

SAN DIEGO, CA — A San Diego man is facing federal charges after trying to smuggle 17 exotic birds across the U.S.-Mexico border, authorities said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stopped Ricardo Alonzo, 26, with 10 burrowing parakeets, five yellow-crowned amazon parrots, and two red-lored amazon parrots hidden in four bags underneath the rear seat of his vehicle at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The two red-lored amazon parrot chicks died, but the other surviving birds were taken to a U.S. Department of Agriculture-managed quarantine facility, officials said.

"Trafficking exotic birds isn't just illegal — it's cruel and dangerous," U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said in a statement. "These actions put the lives of helpless animals at risk and expose the public and other animals to serious diseases."

Alonzo appeared in federal court Tuesday to face charges of importation contrary to law. The maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Also see:

• 12 Parakeets Hidden, Tied Up In Smuggling Attempt At U.S.-Mexico Border
• 21 Parrots, Toucan Found Hidden Inside Vehicle At CA Border