Two men have been prosecuted for attempting to exporting shark fins.
Fishing sharks and export of shark products was banned since 2010.
Staff at Velana International Airport (VIA) confiscated 429 kilograms of shark fins hidden in a salted fish shipment in early January 2021. Media official of Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) said two men being prosecuted for this case are Abbas Abdulla and Ahmed Mohamed.
We have today prosecuted 2 individuals for; Smuggling of sharkfin (Customs Act 97), Deceptive Practice (PC 313), Unsworn Falsification (PC 520).
— Hussain Shameem (@HuShameem) July 6, 2021
A joint investigation is launched to find other members of this criminal enterprise.@koamasfurolhi @anuahsa @DrHussainHassan
Three charges are being pressed against them; smuggling of shark fin, deceptive practice, unsworn falsification.
Mihaaru has confirmed these products were being exported under the name of a sole proprietorship called Home Town Supplies, which is registered under Abbas. The shark fins were exported under the supervision of Ahmed Mohamed.
Even though the shark fins were confiscated six months ago, the delay in prosecuting the perpetuators were due to delays Maldives Customs Service in completing their investigation.
Customs has previously said difficulties in bringing people in for statements and obtaining official information from state institutions due to the pandemic was what caused the delays.
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