Thailand Customs Seizes Over 400 Shark Fins in Major Anti-Smuggling Operation
SAMUT PRAKAN — More than 400 shark fins were intercepted at Suvarnabhumi Airport in a joint anti-smuggling operation by Thai and Chinese authorities, the Customs Department announced Saturday.
Acting spokesman Phantong Loykulnanta said the seizure was part of ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal goods and enforce international wildlife trade regulations under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
A total of 402 fins, weighing 102 kilograms and valued at over 2 million baht, were found concealed in cargo declared as “dry fish.” The shipment originated from Trinidad and Tobago and was en route to China. Authorities acted on a tip-off coordinated with China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) and worked closely with the Fisheries Department and Thai Airways International to uncover the contraband.
This operation follows a similar smuggling case in March, when Malaysian forces intercepted 400 kilograms of wild boar carcasses being smuggled into Thailand.
The shark fins have been seized under protected species laws, and further investigation is underway to identify those responsible.
