SAN DIEGO — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - California, Southern), published as received.

SAN DIEGO – Ricardo Alonzo of San Diego appeared in federal court today to face charges that he smuggled 17 exotic birds into the United States from Mexico under the seat of his car.

According to a complaint, Alonzo was the driver and registered owner of a vehicle that was intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Officers found four bags containing 10 Burrowing Parakeets, five Yellow-Crowned Amazon Parrots, and two Red-Lored Amazon Parrots underneath the rear seat. The two Red-Lored Amazon Parrot chicks did not survive; the surviving birds were transferred to a quarantine facility managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Trafficking exotic birds isn’t just illegal — it’s cruel and dangerous,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “These actions put the lives of helpless animals at risk and expose the public and other animals to serious diseases.”

“This charge underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable wildlife and holding traffickers accountable for their crimes,” said Shawn Gibson, special agent in charge of HSI San Diego. “We are grateful to our dedicated law enforcement partners whose collaboration was instrumental in bringing this individual to justice.”

According to the U.S.  Fish and Wildlife Service, Amazon parrots are native to Mexico, the West Indies, and northern South America, while Burrowing Parakeets are local to Chile and Argentina.  All 30-some species of Amazon parrots, as well as the Burrowing Parakeets, are listed on either Appendix I or Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (“CITES”).

The successful smuggling of undeclared Amazon parrots and Burrowing Parakeets into the U.S. means no quarantine period or process. This would be dangerous to the United States as birds can carry and spread Avian influenza (bird flu), psittacosis, and histoplasmosis. Bird flu is highly contagious and can cause flu like symptoms, respiratory illness, pneumonia and death in humans and other birds including birds in United States poultry farms. Quarantining animals entering the United States is intended to safeguard against this potential disease transmission.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Parker Gardner-Erickson.

DEFENDANT                                                             Case Number 25mj2712-VET                                 

Ricardo Alonzo                                               Age: 26                                   San Diego, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Importation Contrary to Law – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 545

Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Homeland Security Investigations

*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.