Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu), (UNI) Police on Monday seized 190 kg of sea cucumbers, an endangered marine species, meant for smuggling to Sri Lanka clandestinely via the sea route at Rameswaram.
Acting on specific inputs, a police team intercepted a mini cargo van on suspicion and found the vehicle was carrying the unprocessed sea cucumbers packed in 19 gunny bags.
Two persons, identified as V.Vilva Bhuvaneswaran and K.Anburajan were detained in connection with the seizure.
The impounded sea cucumbers were handed over to the forest officials for legal action.
Investigation revealed that the sea cucumbers were procured from the local fishermen in small quantities for smuggling to Lanka.
Sea Cucumbers were in great demand not only as delicacies, but also used for preparing a variety of traditional medicines in countries like China, Taiwan, Singapore and Thailand. They fetch lucrative prices in the International market.
Poaching of these marine species, listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 was banned in India and several other foreign countries.
