(Gray News) – Officials with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service say the team seized thousands of dried shark fins across several U.S. ports.
According to the wildlife agency, about 50,000 shark fins were taken in from 20 shipments at ports, totaling more than 1,600 pounds and valued at over $1 million.
Inspectors say the first shipment was discovered in Anchorage, Alaska, which sparked a wider investigation. Their work led to the interception of additional shipments moving through Alaska, Kentucky and Ohio while the items were transiting from Mexico to Hong Kong.
The shipments were disguised as car parts found to be linked to a larger trafficking network.
The agency noted that the staggering number of fins was predominantly from silky sharks and bigeye thresher sharks, protected under the endangered species trade law.
All fins were seized for multiple violations of wildlife laws.
Officials said the violations have been shared with international partners to support appropriate enforcement actions.
The USFWS says a wildlife crime can be reported online.
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