Mexican citizen Naim Lajud Libien now faces up to 20 years in prison after border agents discovered endangered parakeets hidden in his cowboy boots and car seats during a border crossing attempt.
At a Glance
- 54-year-old Mexican national Naim Lajud Libien was arrested at California’s Otay Mesa Port of Entry on April 29
- Agents discovered endangered Orange Fronted Parakeets hidden inside his cowboy boots using nylon stockings
- Additional birds were found concealed inside his vehicle’s seat cushions, with several dead or injured
- Libien faces federal smuggling charges with penalties up to 20 years imprisonment and $250,000 in fines
- The seized birds are protected under international wildlife treaties and posed potential disease risks
Elaborate Bird Smuggling Scheme Uncovered at Border
Federal authorities have arrested Naim Lajud Libien, a 54-year-old Mexican citizen, for attempting to smuggle endangered birds into the United States through an elaborate concealment operation. The arrest occurred on April 29 at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in California when Libien arrived driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee. A computer alert triggered a secondary inspection, where sharp-eyed Customs officers noticed something unusual about Libien’s pants and boots, leading to the disturbing discovery of exotic birds hidden on his person and inside his vehicle.
Upon closer inspection, officers discovered six parakeets hidden inside Libien’s cowboy boots, each bird restrained with nylon stockings. The birds were immediately removed and placed in appropriate cages with food and water. However, officers’ attention was drawn to additional bird cries coming from elsewhere in the vehicle, leading to a more thorough search that revealed a far more disturbing situation than initially apparent.
Inhumane Conditions and Wildlife Casualties
The secondary search of Libien’s vehicle revealed six additional parakeets concealed inside the vehicle’s seat cushions, bringing the total to twelve birds. The condition of these hidden birds painted a grim picture of the smuggling operation’s brutality. Two of the birds were already dead upon discovery, one had suffered a broken neck, and three others were in visibly poor health after being transported in these cramped, airless conditions.
“The birds were placed in a bird cage with food and water until they could be cared for by veterinary services,” prosecutors said in the complaint. “Some of the birds appeared to have injuries on their feet where they were tied.”
The birds were identified as Orange Fronted Parakeets, a species native to western Mexico and Costa Rica. These birds are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, making their unauthorized transport across international borders a serious federal offense. Libien reportedly had no legal documentation for the birds, and they had not undergone required quarantine procedures.
Serious Federal Charges and Public Health Concerns
Libien now faces significant federal charges for illegal importation, with potential penalties including up to 20 years in prison and fines reaching $250,000. Beyond the cruelty to the animals, authorities emphasized the public health dimension of this case. The smuggled birds had not undergone the mandatory quarantine process required for legal importation, potentially exposing the American public and domestic bird populations to zoonotic diseases such as avian influenza.
“Smuggling at the border takes many forms, but the tragic impact on animals forced into such perilous conditions is deeply troubling,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “We are committed to holding accountable those who endanger wildlife and public health through these reckless and inhumane smuggling practices.”
This case highlights ongoing concerns about wildlife trafficking at America’s borders. The illegal wildlife trade not only threatens endangered species and biodiversity but also creates significant risks for the introduction of exotic diseases. Federal authorities continue to emphasize that wildlife smuggling cases will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law as part of broader efforts to protect both native wildlife and public health.
