A teenager has been arrested for attempting to smuggle a Bengal tiger cub into the US from Mexico.

Luis Eudoro Valencia was caught trying to bring the illegally-trafficked cub into California, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers say.

The 18-year-old arrived at the Otay Mesa port of entry, with a 21-year-old man in the passenger seat, and was arrested following an inspection of the vehicle.

CBP officers were stunned to discover a tiger cub lying on the floor of the front passenger side.