Man arrested with 35 songbirds hidden in hair curlers strapped to his body at JFK yahoo.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from yahoo.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Man caught carrying 35 finches at JFK Airport article
NEW YORK - A man was arrested after authorities say he was caught trying to smuggle approximately 35 finches on his body at JFK Airport.
A federal complaint accused Kevin Andre McKenzie of concealing the birds in hair curlers under his clothing and around his legs.
McKenzie had arrived at JFK on a JetBlue flight originating in Georgetown, Guyana.
Prosecutors say he said he had been offered $3,000 to smuggle the birds into the United States and was paid $500 before the flight and was expecting to receive the remaining $2,500 when he exited customs.
Why do people smuggle finches?
Law enforcers at New York’s JFK Airport busted a man smuggling flinches from Georgetown, Guyana to the US. The man later identified as Kevin Andre McKenzie.
By Bill Galluccio
Apr 28, 2021
Customs and Border Patrol agents busted a man trying to smuggle 35 songbirds into the United States at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. Officials said that agents searched
Kevin Andre McKenzie, 36, as he went through customs after arriving on a flight from Georgetown, Guyana.
During the search, the agents uncovered 35 finches stuffed inside hair curlers that were attached to the inside of his jacket and around his ankles. He was arrested and charged with unlawfully importing finches into the United States.
People who import birds from other countries must obtain a special permit, and the birds must be quarantined for 30 days to prevent the spread of disease.
Man arrested at JFK airport after 35 birds intended for singing contests found in his clothing
April 28, 2021 / 6:31 AM / CBS/AFP
Customs officials at New York s JFK Airport discovered 35 live finches attached to a man s jacket and ankles as he attempted to smuggle them into the country for singing competitions, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.
According to a complaint, a search revealed Kevin Andre McKenzie, 36, was wearing dozens of small cylindrical containers with mesh-covered openings, allowing the birds inside to breathe, according to photos released by the U.S. Attorney s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
The birds were concealed in his suit jacket and beneath his pants legs, with each bird hidden inside a hair curler, according to the complaint.