Illegal shark fin traders charged in the US.
Five years after investigating a multi-million dollar criminal enterprise, US Federal authorities have knocked down the organisation, described as an “international money laundering, drug trafficking and illegal wildlife trade ring”. Nearly US$8 million in cash, jewels and precious metals have been seized as part of the raid by the US authorities.
The Authorities have also charged a dozen of people including suspect Terry Xing Zhao Wu, who was instrumental in smuggling illegal shark fins from Mexico into to Hong Kong.
An indictment in U.S. District Court says that Wu ran a company called Serendipity Business Solutions in Burlingame, California, that smuggled shark fins into the US from Mexico, and shipped them to Hong Kong. The indictment also says that Wu used a front company in Florida to ship at least 5,670 kg of dried shark fins to Hong Kong through the Port of Savannah in 2016 and 2017. U.S. Prosecutors allege the company used by Wu used fake paperwork to take advantage of a Florida law that allows licensed dealers to sell fins from sharks that are legally caught and brought to land whole.
Wu was also involved in illegally shipping marijuana from California to Georgia and other parts of the U.S
Other conspirators to the criminal enterprise also deposited millions of dollars from illegal activities into third-party business accounts located in the United States, Mexico, and Hong Kong to hide the illegal profits. Some of the profits were converted to precious metals and jewels to hide their illegal origins. Authorities had seized more than US$3.9 million in cash, about US$3 million in gold, silver and other metals, as well as US$1 million in diamonds.
In a news conference in Savannah, U.S. Attorney Bobby Christine of Georgia’s Southern District stated
"This operation is about much more than disrupting the despicable practice of hacking the fins off of sharks and leaving them to drown in the sea to create a bowl of soup."
Shark fin soup has been highly valued in many countries for many years and has fuelled the demands for illegally harvested fins. This illegal practice of catching sharks at sea, removing their fins and then dumping the injured animals back into the water to die must be stopped.
Humans kill more than 100 million sharks worldwide each year, including tens of millions of sharks killed for their fins. Sharks help mediate healthy ocean ecosystems and assist in maintaining a balanced biodiversity. Their role in the marine environment is essential.
Whilst selling and consuming shark fins is not illegal in Hong Kong, it is regulated and requires a license. Importing an endangered species without a license is punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a HK$10 million fine.
The Hong Kong Shark Foundation (“HKSF”) is a registered charity that advocates for the conservation of sharks dedicated exclusively to shark conservation. They aim to raise awareness about shark conservation and particularly the unsustainable practice of shark finning, and to reduce consumption of shark products in Hong Kong. If you would like to learn more about HKSF’s work, visit their website to see how you can take action.
Courtesy of Arial Ng.