SAN YSIDRO, Calif., Dec. 23 (UPI) -- A Mexican woman's visa was confiscated and she was returned to her country for allegedly trying to smuggle shark fins into the United States, officials said.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said Thursday the 54-year-old woman was caught trying to smuggle 29 pounds of shark fins at the San Ysidro border crossing, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Shark fin soup is considered a delicacy in some markets catering to Chinese communities, and the fins can sell for more than $2,000 a pound at markets.
Importing the fins is illegal under federal and California law.
The woman, who the Times did not identify, was cited and the shark fins were seized by agents of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
