The Marine Police of the Coastal Security Group (CSG) have seized 65 kg of sea cucumber, the endangered species protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and detained a person, who had procured the species at the behest of smugglers.
Acting on the orders of Superintendent of Police (CSG) R. Sakthivel, after a tip off, a special team led by Inspector of Police P. S. Ramesh Kumar detained S. Habibullah (67), who was processing the species at the backyard of his house at Periyakadai Theru in Devipattinam on Friday.
As the team visited the place, H. Jagubar Sadiq (35), who was assisting his father in processing the sea cucumbers escaped from the place. The seized sea cucumbers included 40 kg of fresh species and 25 kg boiled ones, Mr. Kumar said. The team seized a gas cylinder, stove and vessels used for processing the species.
Admitting that they had procured the sea cucumber from local fishermen at the behest of smugglers, the accused told the police that they would keep the species after boiling and processing for the smugglers to take it through a contact.
On being handed over, the forest personnel arrested the aged man under Sections 9, 39, 50 and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act. He was produced before a magistrate court and remanded in judicial custody. The forest personnel destroyed the seized sea cucumber on court order.
