Illegal Shipments in MIA

Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., is taking a stand against bringing invasive or protected species through airports, a common issue at South Florida's airports.MIA is No. 1 in the country for the importation of wildlife, and officials told Local 10 News that one out of every three of those shipments are illegal.

On Monday, Local 10 News reporter Glenna Milberg saw a tarantula in a frame that was brought in as a pet through MIA, a sawfish and a jaguar skin. Airport officials also found a pillow that was stuffed with snakes.
Authorities said the animals are either banned in the U.S. or may be protected wildlife that can't be handled without a permit.


Sylvia Gaudio, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, told Nelson Monday that a pair of boots brought in to MIA labeled as leather boots were actually crocodile skin boots that require a special permit.
The senator has recently floated a bill in Congress to expand daily employee checks at airports. MIA is one of three airports in the U.S. that screen employees with access to planes daily. The other airports are MCO and ATL.