The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is the lead federal agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior for combating wildlife<\/a> trafficking in the United States.<\/p>\n EMPEROR PENGUINS DECLARED ENDANGERED SPECIES AMID THE DECLINE IN SEA ICE<\/a><\/p>\n In October 2025, the agency proved just that, as wildlife inspectors intercepted 1,600 pounds of shark fins while conducting searches in Anchorage<\/a>, Alaska, according to a statement from the USFWS.<\/p>\n Members of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seized 1,600 pounds of illegal shark fins.<\/p>\n (USFWS)<\/p>\n Officials uncovered shark fins worth over $1 million across multiple U.S. ports, starting with a shipment in Anchorage.<\/p>\n POPULAR MICHIGAN BRIDGE DESTROYED AS RIVER HITS HISTORIC FLOOD LEVEL<\/a><\/p>\n The cargo was disguised as car parts to travel through Alaska<\/a>, Kentucky<\/a> and Ohio<\/a>, and is part of a larger trafficking network, officials stated.<\/p>\n “The coordinated enforcement action was part of Operation Thunder, a global effort to combat illegal wildlife trade,” a statement from the Wildlife Service said.<\/p>\n “These weren\u2019t small-time violations,” a statement from the USFWS said. “This was an organized criminal network exploiting protected species for profit.”<\/p>\n Officers shared a photo of the 26 boxes of shark fins uncovered in disguise.<\/p>\n Most of the fins come from silky sharks and bigeye thresher sharks, both of which are protected species.<\/p>\n![\"Members](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/photo-gallery-template-81.png\")
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