109 sacks of shark fins declared as 'fish stomachs' intercepted at Colón port

Panamanian authorities seized 109 sacks of shark fins at the Puerto de Manzanillo in Colón province. The cargo was falsely declared as 'fish stomachs' and was en route to Malaysia. The discovery was made during an environmental inspection by a specialized team involving police, the Aquatic Resources Authority, and the Ministry of Environment.

Specialists will now conduct a taxonomic identification of the seized product. This will determine if any of the shark species are listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Panama maintains a zero quota for shark species included in these lists.

If the shipment is confirmed to contain products from protected species, its extraction, movement, and sale would be subject to national restrictions and international controls. The Ministry of Environment will initiate administrative sanctioning procedures based on the investigation's findings. The case will also be referred to the Specialized Environmental Crimes Prosecutor's Office to ascertain potential criminal responsibilities.