Toucans Trafficked: Man Hid Birds in Dashboard

SAN DIEGO, CA – Carlos Abundez, 35, of San Ysidro, California, made a federal court appearance today facing charges for a particularly cruel and brazen smuggling attempt. The man is accused of concealing 14 live, bound Keel-billed toucans within the dashboard of his Volkswagen Passat, a scheme discovered at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents initially flagged Abundez’s vehicle after a canine unit registered a change in behavior during a routine screening. A subsequent inspection revealed a disturbing sight: a bird, wrapped in cloth and duct taped to the underside of the dashboard. The officer initially didn’t know what the object was until it began to move and flutter. Prying open the side panel, agents discovered a total of 14 sedated juvenile Keel-billed toucans crammed into the compartment.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents identified the birds as Ramphastos sulfuratus, a species native to southern Mexico through Ecuador. The young toucans were found to be in various states of distress, with some suffering from broken tails and a broken leg. They were initially treated by Veterinary Services at the southern border before being transferred to a Department of Agriculture Animal Import Center for quarantine, where they are now reported to be in stable condition.

This isn’t an isolated incident. The arrest of Abundez comes on the heels of recent prosecutions involving three other individuals caught smuggling Amazon parrots and parakeets through the same ports of entry. U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon minced no words, stating, “Smuggling endangered birds by sedating them, binding their beaks, and hiding them in car compartments is not just cruel—it’s criminal.” He emphasized the broader public health and agricultural risks, noting that illegally imported birds bypass essential quarantine procedures and could introduce devastating diseases like avian influenza.

Avian influenza, or bird flu, poses a serious threat, capable of decimating bird populations and even jumping to humans. The illicit wildlife trade, fueled by the potential to sell these exotic birds for up to $5,000 each, creates a dangerous pathway for disease transmission. Quarantine is crucial to safeguarding against such threats. Abundez faces serious consequences, including a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each charge of Smuggling Merchandise – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 545 and Importation Contrary to Law – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 545. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Jimenez.

DEFENDANT: Carlos Abundez, 35, San Ysidro, CA. CASE NUMBER: 25-mj-3726. The charges and allegations contained in a complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.