Latest news with #NaimLajudLibien
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Authorities make disturbing discovery after searching man's vehicle at US-Mexico border: 'We are committed to holding accountable ...'
In San Diego, authorities arrested a man for smuggling protected birds from Mexico into the U.S., according to a report by Patch. Twelve orange-fronted parakeets were concealed among his belongings, stuffed inside his boots and between the seats of his car. Prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's Office reported that Mexican citizen Naim Lajud Libien was caught trying to smuggle a dozen parakeets across the U.S.-Mexico border at the Otay Mesa port of entry in San Diego. Of the 12 birds, at least two have died, one that officials believe to have a broken neck, and the rest are in "poor health." When authorities found the parakeets, the birds' feet were tied, which may have caused some harm. Orange-fronted parakeets are a protected bird species native to western Mexico and Costa Rica. In order to be legally transported into the U.S., the birds must be quarantined before crossing the border. Libien faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for attempting to smuggle the parakeets into the U.S. The animals being trafficked are often held captive in small, awful conditions, resulting in injuries and even death. Cases like this not only endanger the animals being trafficked but also the entire ecosystem. When species are illegally transported into a new country, they can become invasive and disrupt the balance of the food chain. Though it may not seem like it, biodiversity impacts our everyday lives. When an invasive species throws off an ecosystem, native species can decline, threatening the pollinators that protect our food supply. Libien faces "charges of importation contrary to law," Patch reported. "Smuggling at the border takes many forms, but the tragic impact on animals forced into such perilous conditions is deeply troubling," U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said in a statement, per Patch. "We are committed to holding accountable those who endanger wildlife and public health through these reckless and inhumane smuggling practices." Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Man tries to sneak 12 birds into CA in boots, car, feds say. It ends tragically
A man tried to sneak 12 protected birds into California from Mexico in his boots and car, and two of the birds were later found dead, federal officials said. A third orange-fronted parakeet had what appeared to be a broken neck, and three others were 'in poor health,' the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California said in an April 30 news release. Naim Lajud Libien, 54, from Mexico, was arrested and is facing a charge of importation contrary to law, prosecutors said. Defense attorney information wasn't listed in court records the morning of May 1. Lajud Libien tried to enter the United States on April 29 through a San Diego port of entry, prosecutors said. He was patted down after an officer with U.S. Customs and Border Protection 'noticed bulges around his ankles,' according to prosecutors. The bulges turned out to be six parakeets, each wrapped in nylon stockings and bound at the feet, prosecutors said. The parakeets — native to Costa Rica and Mexico — were given food and water in a cage while awaiting veterinary care, prosecutors said. The next day, officials searched Lajud Libien's Jeep Grand Cherokee after hearing birds crying inside, according to prosecutors. Six more birds were in a seat cushion and were similarly tied and wrapped, prosecutors said. Among those six, two were dead, a third appeared to have a broken neck and the rest were alive but ill, prosecutors said. An update on the parakeets wasn't immediately available May 1. In the news release, U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said 'smuggling at the border takes many forms, but the tragic impact on animals forced into such perilous conditions is deeply troubling.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Protected parakeets found in man's boots, wrapped in pantyhose
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (WJW) – A dozen federally protected birds were seized at the Mexico border in California after six of the birds were discovered stuffed in a man's boots, and the others were later found crammed inside the seat of his car. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the 12 orange-fronted parakeets were seized at the Otay Port of Entry in California following an alleged smuggling attempt. Little dog captured after 18 months on remote island In a post on Facebook, the USFWS shared pictures of the birds and said they were tied at the feet and wrapped in pantyhose. 'Unfortunately, three of the birds passed away. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is actively working to save the remaining parakeets and provide appropriate veterinary care,' wrote the USFWS on Tuesday. Seized orange-fronted parakeets. Credit: Rebecca Fabbri/USFWS The orange-fronted parakeets were found tied at the feet and wrapped in pantyhose. Credit: USFWS One of the seized orange-fronted parakeets. Credit: Rebecca Fabbri/USFWS Seized orange-fronted parakeets. Credit: Rebecca Fabbri/USFWS According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of California, Naim Lajud Libien, a citizen of Mexico, was arrested and charged. The incident took place on April 29. 'The Customs and Border Protection officer noticed bulges around his ankles. For safety reasons, the officer conducted a pat down and discovered what appeared to be birds wrapped in nylon stockings concealed inside the boots,' read the release. Breeze offers 6 new destinations from local airport According to officials, six birds were removed from the boots – three from the right and three from the left. The following day, officials said Customs and Border Protection personnel could hear birds crying from the impounded vehicle and discovered six more orange parakeets inside the seat cushion of the passenger seat. The orange-fronted parakeets were found tied at the feet and wrapped in pantyhose. Credit: USFWS According to the USFWS, the orange-fronted parakeet is protected by the Wild Bird Conservation Act and the Global Conservation for Wildlife. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Two protected parakeets found dead in smuggling attempt at border
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A man was arrested on suspicion of smuggling 12 protected Orange Fronted Parakeets into the United States from Mexico. Naim Lajud Libien, 54, a Mexican citizen, faces an importation contrary to law charge that has a maximum penalty of twenty years in custody and a $250,000 fine, the United States Attorney's Office Southern District of California said in a news release The incident occurred Tuesday around 3:10 p.m. at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. The driver, identified as Libien, was in a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee crossing into the U.S. when it got requested for secondary inspection. When the suspect exited the vehicle, a Customs and Border Protection officer noticed bulges his ankles. Authorities conducted a pat down, finding three birds in the defendant's right boot and three in his left. All the birds were tied at the feet and wrapped in panty hose. The birds, some of which appeared to have injuries on their feet, were placed in a bird cage with food and water until they could be cared for by Veterinary Services. Libien was taken into custody, but on Wednesday, CBP personnel heard bird crying from the suspect's impounded vehicle. After dismantling the car, authorities found six more orange parakeets wrapped in panty hose and bound inside the seat cushion of the passenger seat of the vehicle. Two of the birds were found dead, one of the birds appeared to have a broken neck and the other three were still alive but in poor health, according to CBP. Orange Fronted Parakeets, native to Western Mexico and Costa Rica, are protected and have been listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) since 2005. 'Libien's concealment of the parakeets would have resulted in their entering the United States without any quarantine period or process,' CBP said in the release. Wildlife must be subject to quarantine before it can be introduced into the U.S. to prevent disease from animals to humans, per border officials. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
