Chile's National Customs Service detected alleged smuggling of protected exotic fauna in a container entering San Antonio port declared as household goods. Officials found over 20 specimens, including giant clams and a fox fur coat. The items were seized and a complaint filed with the Public Prosecutor's Office.
Customs officials from the San Antonio Regional Customs reviewed the container during a routine inspection. They identified undeclared goods: five giant clams (Tridacna gigas), thirteen bear-claw clams (Hippopus hippopus), snails, Mediterranean oyster pieces, and a fox fur coat. These species and derivatives are protected under the CITES convention, making their unauthorized entry smuggling.
Natalia Garay, head of Inspections at San Antonio Customs, highlighted the find. “This procedure demonstrates control over sensitive goods and responsibility for environmental protection and biodiversity,” she stated. She added: “As Customs, we act as the CITES enforcement entity at the border, which helps stop illegal trafficking of species and their derivatives.”
Following detection, the goods were retained, and a technical report was requested from the San Antonio Natural History Museum for taxonomic identification. Customs stressed that such procedures prevent illegal wildlife trafficking and align with Chile's international biodiversity commitments.