The staff of the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission (FC) at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) has seized 3,967 dried shark fins with a total weight of 488 kg at the Swissport Cargo Centre.
In a statement made on social media dated Tuesday, December 30, 2025, the Forestry Commission stated that the dried shark fins packed in wrapped jute bags were valued at over $300,000, with Mauritania listed as the destination, adding that the items were initially declared as dried fish but were later identified as shark fins following inspection.
”The fins, packed in 14 wrapped jute bags, popularly known as “Ghana Must Go”, are believed to have a street value of between USD300,000 and USD 400,000, with Mauritania as its final destination.
“Staff were alerted by the Veterinary Services Directorate of KIA regarding the items, which were initially declared as dried fish, but upon inspection, it was found to contain dried shark fins contrary to the declaration provided,” the statement noted.
The Forestry Commission noted that the consignment was without the required export permit and accompanying documentation authorising the export of wildlife products, violating Section 22(2)(a) of the Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023 (Act 1115), which governs the export, re-export, or import of wildlife and its products.
The Commission added that the seized dried fins were identified to have been harvested from the following species of sharks: Prionace glauca (Blue shark); Alopias vulpinus (Common thresher); Carcharhinus falciformis (Silky shark), and Sphyrna mokarran (Hammerhead shark).
The Commission highlighted that the parts and derivatives of these species are listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), meaning an export permit is required to ensure that trade is legal, sustainable, and does not threaten the species survival.
The statement further reported that the seized consignment is being held by FC, whilst the primary suspect has been handed over to the Airport Police Station for further investigations and prosecution.
