This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-19364702#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Peru police seize thousands of dried seahorses | Peru police seize thousands of dried seahorses |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Police in Peru have seized more than 16,000 dried seahorses which were to be exported illegally to Asian countries. | Police in Peru have seized more than 16,000 dried seahorses which were to be exported illegally to Asian countries. |
Seahorse powder is used in China, Japan and elsewhere in traditional medicine and for its alleged aphrodisiac uses. | Seahorse powder is used in China, Japan and elsewhere in traditional medicine and for its alleged aphrodisiac uses. |
Peruvian authorities say the traffickers ran away and abandoned their illicit cargo on a street in the capital, Lima. | Peruvian authorities say the traffickers ran away and abandoned their illicit cargo on a street in the capital, Lima. |
Police chief Victor Fernandez told the BBC the cargo could have fetched up to $250,000 (£160,000) abroad. | Police chief Victor Fernandez told the BBC the cargo could have fetched up to $250,000 (£160,000) abroad. |
Seahorse fishing is illegal in Peru, but the high prices paid for seahorse powder abroad make it difficult for the authorities to enforce the ban. | Seahorse fishing is illegal in Peru, but the high prices paid for seahorse powder abroad make it difficult for the authorities to enforce the ban. |
Mr Fernandez said the cargo - three cases weighing 27.5kg (60 pounds) - was left behind following a police operation near the Lima's airport. | Mr Fernandez said the cargo - three cases weighing 27.5kg (60 pounds) - was left behind following a police operation near the Lima's airport. |
"They are sent to Asian countries and used as aphrodisiacs. In China this product is also used to cure asthma," he told the BBC's Mattia Cabitza in Lima. | "They are sent to Asian countries and used as aphrodisiacs. In China this product is also used to cure asthma," he told the BBC's Mattia Cabitza in Lima. |
The marine fish, which finds northern Peru's warmer waters a perfect breeding ground, is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites). | The marine fish, which finds northern Peru's warmer waters a perfect breeding ground, is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites). |
But Mr Fernandez said that last year a total of 20 tonnes of dried seahorses were seized across the world - half a tonne in Peru alone. |
Previous version
1
Next version