see also: in April 2008:   U. S. Customs and Border Protection Seizes $1.3 Million Worth of Counterfeit Cigarettes   Border Patrol Launches Rhode Island Search   Border Patrol Agent Search Launches in Atlanta   Two Weeks = Two Tons of Marijuana Seized at Arizona Port of Entry   CBP Officers in Texas Find $3 Million Worth of Dope in 'Empty' Sea Container   New Jersey CBP Officers Make $4 Million Heroin Candy Bar Bust   Border Patrol Agents Locate More Than Half Ton of Marijuana ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Jamaica, N.Y. - Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists discovered birds in the checked luggage of three travelers from China yesterday. Upon discovering the birds, CBP Agriculture Specialists donned Personal Protective Equipment as a precautionary measure to extract 10 pet birds from the family's luggage. Nine of these birds were found alive and one was dead. All the birds are currently in the custody of the Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Services at the Quarantine Station in Newburgh, N.Y. The three passengers who smuggled the birds were released. The species of the birds have not yet been identified although the birds do not appear to pose any imminent health threats.

The United States is the world's largest producer and exporter of poultry meat and the second-largest egg producer. In cooperation, USDA and CBP's efforts are critical for ensuring that any bird or products derived from birds smuggled into the United States are seized to eliminate the risk of introducing a foreign animal disease. New York CBP acting Director of Field Operations Leon Hayward said, "Preventing the spread of disease from smuggled birds is part of the critical mission that CBP agriculture specialists perform at ports of entry. Although these birds appear to be pets, the traveling public needs to be aware of the potential health risks that can stem from smuggling animals into the United States."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.