Charges filed against 2 involved in shark fin smuggling attempt

Prosecutor General’s Office has filed charges against two people involved in an attempt to smuggle shark fins out of Maldives back in January.

Prosecutor General’s Office spokesperson, Public Prosecutor Ahmed Shafeeu said the charges were filed with the Criminal Court earlier this Tuesday.

The two suspects charged in the case are:

• Abbas Abdulla, M. Centrosema, Male’
• Ahmed Mohamed, Kirudhoonige, HDh. Kulhudhuffushi

The two suspects have been pressed with three charges. They are:

• The charge of smuggling under Article 100 (b) of Customs Act with reference to Article 97 (a) of Customs Act
• The charge of providing deceptive practices under Section 313 (b) of the Penal Code, with reference to Section 313 (a) (1) of the Penal Code
• The charge of unsworn falsification to authorities under Section 521 (e) of the Penal Code, with reference to Section 521 (a) (1) and (2) of the Penal Code

The shipment of shark fins was seized by Customs on January 3 this year. The shark fins weighed 429 kilos, and were packed in 21 cardboard boxes.

Maldives banned shark fishing and the export of shark fins in 2010.