Shark teeth seized in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines — Shark teeth weighing about five kilos were confiscated by personnel of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Mactan, Cebu recently.

The package containing 4.98 kilos of shark teeth was reportedly shipped from the United States and consigned to Josefina Capistrano.

The contents of the parcel were misdeclared as plastic components for fashion accessories.

Customs personnel were alerted after seeing the image of the parcel’s contents as it was going through the X-ray scanner.

Authorities examined the parcel in the presence of representatives from the BOC, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and DHL Express-Cebu.

The BFAR representative confirmed that the parcel contained shark teeth and that the agency has no record showing it issued an import permit for the shipment.

BOC-Mactan acting district collector Charlito Martin Mendoza issued a warrant of seizure and detention against the shipment.