Man arrested in TN for attempting to smuggle shark fins & stingray gills to SL
An individual has been arrested in Tamil Nadu for attempting to smuggle sacks of shark fins and stingray gills to Sri Lanka.
The Q branch police in Tuticorin has arrested the man based on a tip-off about the smuggling.
Police had seized 11 bags of dried stingray gills and 10 sacks of dried shark fins.
While shark fin trade is illegal and banned, there is no ban on stingray gills.
The marine products have been handed over to Vilathikulam forest range for further investigation.
After gold and marijuana, marine products fetch good returns for the smugglers.
Stingray gills have a big market in Sri Lanka. Unlike shark fins, stingray gills are not banned and they can be easily transported in the guise of dry fish, according to a Tamil Nadu branch officer.
