by A California man is facing federal charges after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 14 live toucans hidden inside the dashboard of his Volkswagen Passat. The unusual smuggling attempt was intercepted at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in Southern California.
Carlos Abundez, 35, of San Ysidro, was arrested and appeared in federal court Wednesday. According to officials, the exotic birds were sedated, bound in cloth, and duct-taped beneath and inside the vehicle’s dashboard. The discovery followed a search prompted by a border patrol canine alert.
Federal wildlife authorities later identified the birds as juvenile Keel-billed toucans, which are native to regions of Central and South America and can sell for up to $5,000 each in the illegal pet trade.
Key Details:
- Suspect: Carlos Abundez, 35, San Ysidro, California
- Arrest Location: Otay Mesa Port of Entry
- Vehicle: Volkswagen Passat
- Bird Species: Juvenile Keel-billed toucans
- Number of Birds: 14
- Concealment Method: Hidden in the dashboard, bound and sedated
- Conditions of Birds: Some had injuries (broken tails and a broken leg)
- Current Status of Birds: Stabilized and quarantined at USDA Animal Import Center
- Street Value: Up to $5,000 per bird
Agencies Involved:
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- U.S. Attorney’s Office
Official Statements:
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon condemned the act, stating:
“Smuggling endangered birds by sedating them, binding their beaks, and hiding them in car compartments is not just cruel—it’s criminal.”
He also emphasized the public health threat posed by the illicit wildlife trade, pointing to the risk of diseases like avian influenza entering the U.S. undetected due to the lack of mandatory screening and quarantine for smuggled animals.
This arrest adds to a growing list of wildlife smuggling cases in Southern California, including recent incidents involving Amazon parrots and parakeets trafficked through local ports of entry.
What Happens Next:
Abundez faces federal charges of smuggling protected wildlife, and authorities say they will continue to crack down on the illegal wildlife trade that threatens both animal welfare and public safety.
