Officials: CT man caught smuggling $100K rare birds at JFK

A Connecticut man tried smuggling nearly three dozen live finches from Guyana through JFK Airport in his carry-on, officials say.

News 12 Staff

Jun 18, 2019, 12:57 PM

Updated 1,784 days ago

Share:

A Connecticut man tried smuggling nearly three dozen live finches from Guyana through JFK Airport in his carry-on, officials say.
He put 34 live singing finches into plastic hair curlers before returning from Guyana, airport officials say.
According to authorities, the man planned on selling the rare birds for $100,000 to be used in high-stakes Big Apple bird-singing competitions. 
 


More from News 12
2:09
Middletown moves forward with cheaper parking to offset NJ Transit fare increase

Middletown moves forward with cheaper parking to offset NJ Transit fare increase

1:36
Early storms Tuesday followed by partial sun; temps warm to upper-70s

Early storms Tuesday followed by partial sun; temps warm to upper-70s

0:48
Authorities: Construction worker suffers fatal fall into trench at Kenilworth site

Authorities: Construction worker suffers fatal fall into trench at Kenilworth site

0:21
Rutgers president to testify before Congress on antisemitism on college campuses

Rutgers president to testify before Congress on antisemitism on college campuses

2:06
First weekend of Newark’s youth curfew debuts to great success

First weekend of Newark’s youth curfew debuts to great success

1:41
Death of New Jersey state trooper during training incident prompts investigation

Death of New Jersey state trooper during training incident prompts investigation

0:50
Jersey Proud: Somerset charter school competes in World Robotics Championship in Texas

Jersey Proud: Somerset charter school competes in World Robotics Championship in Texas

0:16
Police: Hoboken man facing weapons charges in road rage incident

Police: Hoboken man facing weapons charges in road rage incident

2:42
Jersey Shore surfer whose 20-foot wipeout went viral helps rescue struggling swimmer

Jersey Shore surfer whose 20-foot wipeout went viral helps rescue struggling swimmer

2:11
Seniors learn about potential scams as Rep. Gottheimer introduces legislation to protect them

Seniors learn about potential scams as Rep. Gottheimer introduces legislation to protect them

0:42
New Jersey florists prep orders for Mother’s Day celebrations

New Jersey florists prep orders for Mother’s Day celebrations

0:22
Upgrades underway at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A

Upgrades underway at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A

1:32
How to prepare for spotted lanternfly season

How to prepare for spotted lanternfly season

0:25
Officials: 2 firefighters hospitalized; dog dies in Wayne house fire

Officials: 2 firefighters hospitalized; dog dies in Wayne house fire

0:19
Fire officials: Driver extricated from car following Lyndhurst crash

Fire officials: Driver extricated from car following Lyndhurst crash

0:29
Department of Justice: 2 men sentenced for defrauding JetBlue Airways of $10 million

Department of Justice: 2 men sentenced for defrauding JetBlue Airways of $10 million

0:59
Jersey Buzz: Newark's Frankie Valli receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Jersey Buzz: Newark's Frankie Valli receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

0:26
Three groups are suing New Jersey to block an offshore wind farm

Three groups are suing New Jersey to block an offshore wind farm

1:59
Asian Pacific American Heritage: News 12 speaks to 1st woman & Asian-American to lead New Jersey National Guard

Asian Pacific American Heritage: News 12 speaks to 1st woman & Asian-American to lead New Jersey National Guard

1:55
'Real Housewives' star Margaret Joseph's Soiree mocktail is Made In New Jersey

'Real Housewives' star Margaret Joseph's Soiree mocktail is Made In New Jersey