The Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) has arrested a passenger carrying dried shark fins meant for Mauritania.
The 3,967 shark fins with a total weight of 488kg were seized at the Swissport Cargo Center.
According to a press release issued by the Forestry Commission, the fins were packaged in 14 jute bags, popularly known as ‘Ghana Must Go’, and are said to have a street value of between $300,000 and $400,000.
“Staff were alerted by the Veterinary Services Directorate of KIA regarding the items which were initially declared as dried fish but upon inspection, it was found to contain dried shark fins contrary to the declaration provided.”
According to the press release, the consignment did not have the required export permit or any accompanying document authorising the exportation of wildlife products contrary to the Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023 (Act 1115), Section 22(2)(a).
The seized dried fins were identified to have been harvested from Prionace glauca (Blue shark), Alopias vulpinus (Common thresher), Carchachinus falciformis (Silky shark) and Sphyrna mokarran (Hammerhead shark) species.
“All these species, their parts and derivatives are listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and an export permit is required before they can be exported.”
The seized consignment is in the custody of the Commission while the passenger has been handed over to the Airport Police Station for further investigations and prosecution.