Shark fins worth Rs 32L seized from two fliers

The officials received got information that wildlife species, shark fins are likely to be smuggled to Singapore. Following it, the Air Intelligence Unit officers began to inspect passengers at the departure lounge.

On Tuesday night they noticed two passengers walking in a suspicious manner. The officials intercepted them and found that they had cleared their immigration checks. The officials identified them as 25-year-old Bathur Jaman Madhar, a resident of Chennai and 35-year-old Mahadeer Sheik Mathar, a resident of Madurai who were bound for Singapore by Scoot Airlines.

Customs officials found that they were carrying cartons as their check-in baggage. When questioned regarding what was inside the boxes their replies were evasive. The officials then opened the boxes to find 10 small gunny bags inside which shark fins were concealed. The fins were examined by Wild Life Crime Control Bureau officials who certified that they were processed shark fins and export of such items is prohibited as per the Foreign Trade Policy. The fins weighing 64 kg, valued Rs 32 lakh were seized. The fins are popular in China to be used in expensive Chinese soups and medicines.