Passenger from Guyana busted with 70 birds in curlers at JFK

A passenger travelling from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) was nabbed with 70 live birds hidden in hair curlers or rollers at the John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York on December 8, 2018.

According to the U.S Customs and Border Protection, the unnamed passenger was caught by Agriculture Specialists at the Airport with the live Finches concealed within hair rollers in a black Duffel Bag.

“CBP Agriculture Specialists are the first line of defense to prevent the introduction of animal diseases that have the potential to cause significant damage to the Nation’s agricultural economy,” said Troy Miller, Director, Field Operations, New York Field Office.

A 2015 outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the U.S., commonly known as bird flu, resulted in the culling of 50 million commercial turkeys and chickens and $850 million in damages, the statement noted.

The birds were detained under quarantine and turned over to the United States Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services.