From the silly news desk

A bird in the hand isn't worth two in the pants?

Man accused of smuggling birds in pants
By Akilah Johnson Staff Writer

There really was a bird in his pants. Two, in fact.Federal court papers unsealed in Miami on Monday charge Giraldo Wong with smuggling two tiny songbirds from Cuba in his underwear, then lying about it on a customs form, according to the U.S Attorney's Office.

Wong and five others were charged in a separate 21-count indictment, also unsealed Monday, with dealing in protected species of migratory birds. Each trafficking count is punishable by up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Wong faces an additional 10 years in prison and $500,000 fine.

The market was packed Sunday with up to 70 bird enthusiasts, said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Capt. Jeff Ardelean.

"Anyone we found in possession of a bird they couldn't have was issued a citation," Ardelean said. "The rest were educated and released. We educated a lot of people."

The hummingbird-sized Cuban grassquits that Wong got caught with May 6 at Miami International Airport were headed for an underground bird market in Hialeah, authorities said.