Fleet & Operations · Target Dossier

Red Lantern Fin Syndicate · “The Long Knives”

Direct ActionThreat: SevereShark-fin trafficking syndicate

Doc Control AE-TGT-07Type Shark-fin trafficking syndicateFlag / Jurisdiction Non-state · routed through three free-trade portsIntervention Tier Direct ActionThreat SevereStatus Direct Action sanctioned · Admiralty oversightLast Known Position Mobile · drying-vessel circuit, eastern Indian OceanClassification RESTRICTED // TIDEWATER-EYES-ONLY

Profile

A trafficking syndicate that finishes sharks alive and sells the rest of the animal to the sea. They moved to an offshore drying fleet precisely because no coastal court can reach them, and they buy the inspectors who could. Direct-Action sanctioned because the killing is industrial, continuous, and beyond any jurisdiction that has not already been purchased.

Documented Crimes

Live-finning of hammerhead and thresher sharks, carcasses dumped to drown
Laundering CITES-listed fin through mislabelled 'dried seafood' manifests
Bribery and intimidation of customs officers at two transshipment ports
Running an offshore drying fleet to keep contraband out of any single jurisdiction

Linked Operations

AE-FOR-2091-014 AE-FOR-2090-188

Species at Risk

Scalloped Hammerhead (AE-SPX-0051)Pelagic Thresher Shark (AE-SPX-0053)Oceanic Whitetip Shark (AE-SPX-0009)

Standing Note

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

Rules of engagement: gear, contraband, and ledgers only. Crews are to be disabled and handed to the nearest cooperating navy — never harmed. Seized fin is evidence, not trophy; every kilo is logged and surrendered intact.

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