Hundreds of smuggled animals seized in Miami, Sicily

Authorities arrested Alberto Hernandez Castillo at Miami International Airport after finding 10 live birds hidden in tubes sewn into his underwear following his arrival from Cuba; he faces a charge of smuggling goods into the United States. Separately, Italian authorities in Sicily seized 300 tortoises and 77 parrots from a Maltese man’s car as he allegedly attempted to travel to Malta. Officials said the animals were transported in cramped conditions without adequate temperature control, and 76 of the parrots belonged to protected species. The man faces allegations involving animal suffering and violations of laws governing trade in protected species; the animals were placed in care facilities.