Dried mantas, sharks, stingrays from Cebu intercepted at Manila port

Customs officials have foiled an attempt to smuggle some P10 million worth of “highly valuable” dried marine products in Manila.   The shipment — 2,300 kilos of dried and sliced portions of manta rays, silky sharks and stingrays — arrived at the sub-port of the Manila North Harbor from Cebu last August 12. They were discovered after a joint team from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Bureau of Customs conducted an inspection of the 10-footer container van last September 11.   “This seems to be an attempt to smuggle out of the country highly valuable marine products which are considered endangered species by the government,” said Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon. Biazon said the consignee, Golden East Marine Export, Inc. in Las Piñas City, will be investigated.   Biazon said they suspect the items may have been intended for export. “Meron posibilidad na papunta din ito ng ibang bansa, pero ito ay nahuli na natin sa local transshipment pa lang.”   He said there was no transport clearance from BFAR presented for the items, which he said was in violation of Fisheries Administrative Order No. 193 and Republic Act 3550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998   In the export market, current prices of dried gills and meat of manta ray and stingray per kilogram could fetch up to $500. Dried parts of other stingrays can cost $8/kg.   The Bureau of Customs said these are highly sought products especially in the Chinese market, because it is said to cure chickenpox, infertility and cancer.   After the illegal shipment was discovered, samples were subsequently taken to the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) for testing and identification.   The items will be disposed in coordination with proper agency, in this case, BFAR.   “May disposal process naman tayo dito, kailangan magkaroon ng coordination with proper agency,” Biazon said. — KBK, GMA News