Texas Border Business
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol discovers bird during a smuggling attempt while taking group of illegal aliens into custody.
Early Saturday morning, Fort Brown agents responded to a possible incursion along the U.S. riverbank near Brownsville, Texas. As agents arrived to the location, they discovered evidence of several of people who entered the country illegally. Agents tracked the group and apprehended seven illegal aliens from the countries of Mexico and Guatemala. Additionally, agents noticed a plastic bag carried by one of the aliens with a live bird inside. After inspecting the bag, agents identified the bird as a toucan. CBP Agriculture Specialists took custody of the bird and turned it over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after it was evaluated by a veterinarian.
While it is rare for exotic animals to be discovered by Border Patrol in this manner, this is not the first time exotic animals have been rescued during an animal smuggling attempt. Just two years ago, agents rescued a tiger cub stuffed in a duffel bag near Brownsville.
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.
Even with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, human smugglers continue to try these brazen attempts with zero regard for the lives they endanger nor to the health of the citizens of our great nation. The U.S. Border Patrol agents of the Rio Grande Valley Sector will continue to safeguard the nation and community against these criminal elements.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
