Man tries to smuggle exotic birds into US by hiding them in his pants

MIAMI, Fl. (KABC) -- A man faces federal charges for trying to smuggle living exotic birds from Cuba into the U.S. by hiding the animals in his pants.

Customs and Border Patrol agents in Miami, Florida said the man arrived on a flight from Cuba concealing six exotic birds in a fanny pack and three more in his pants near his groin.

The small birds were turned over to the Department of Agriculture's quarantine section. The birds' species were unclear.

It is a federal violation to smuggle live animals into the U.S.