India: The Customs Air Intelligence unit officials at Chennai Airport seized 23.5kg of processed shark fins that were being smuggled to Dubai by two passengers. Senior officials said that this was the first seizure of wildlife products since the COVID-19 induced lockdown and that the last seizure of shark fins were in December 2019.

The officials said that they maintained a special vigil based on intelligence input of smuggling of wildlife/marine life products to Dubai. They maintained a close watch on two passengers who were carrying carton boxes and were moving in a suspicious manner. The duo were intercepted after clearing immigration and while proceeding for security check. 

The passengers allegedly gave evasive replies on being questioned, following which their boxes were examined. On opening the cartons, three white gunny bags were found. Wildlife products, suspected to be shark fins, weighing 9.5kg was recovered from one bag and the other two bags combined contained 14kg of the same. 

From their boarding passes and passports the passengers were identified as Sathackkathullah, 52, of Chennai and Abbas, 29, of Tiruchirappali, who were bound for Dubai by Fly Dubai FZ 8518.

Source: (Zee News)