MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – A Miami man ran ‘a fowl’ of the law when he was caught trying to smuggle birds from Cuba into South Florida hidden in his pants.

Alberto Diaz Gonzalez pleaded guilty last Thursday to attempting to import undeclared wildlife from the Caribbean island. The U.S. Attorney’s office said Diaz faces up to 20 years in prison when he’s sentenced next February.

Diaz returned Oct. 20 to Miami from Havana. According to court documents, he told U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials at Miami’s airport that he was not carrying any wildlife.

When officers searched Diaz, they reportedly found 16 Cuban bullfinches hidden in his pants. Diaz then told the officers he got the birds in Cuba and planned to sell them here.

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