SAN DIEGO (CN) - A federal judge on Monday sentenced a parrot smuggler to 10 months in prison. Candido Palacios had pleaded guilty to smuggling 40 conures and 4 yellow-headed Amazon parrots through the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.
Palacios claimed he had nothing to declare, but inspectors heard birds screeching during the June 1999 bust. They found 40 conures in a bag and the four Amazons in the vehicle's center console. The U.S. Attorney's Office estimated the wholesale value of the load of birds at $7,200.
Palacios' wife, who was with him, was sentenced to 2 years probation.
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