Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu), Apr 22 (Agency) Police seized 700 kilograms of sea cucumbers, an endangered marine species meant for smuggling to Sri Lanka, at Keezhakkarai here on Sunday evening. Police sources said here on Monday following specific inputs that a large consignment of sea cucumbers was being smuggled to the island nation, a police team raided a warehouse and seized the processed marine species stuffed in gunny bags, valued at Rs 20 lakhs.
The sea cucumbers were procured from local fishermen over a period of time by the smugglers, identified as Mohammed Azharuddin and Mohammed Nazuruddin, for smuggling to Lanka, where the species fetch lucrative prices. The offenders were arrested under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, and further investigations were underway. Poaching and trading of sea cucumbers, listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, were banned in India. These marine species were in great demand not only as delicacies, but also for preparing some traditional medicines in countries like China, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, among others.