Forest Department officials on Saturday destroyed 5.6 tonnes of sea cucumbers that were seized by the Coastal Security Group (CSG) of State Police at two places in Nagapattinam district recently.
The seized sea cucumbers were dumped in a large pit and destroyed near Velankanni in the presence of the CSG personnel, sources said. Acting on information, CSG personnel seized 5 tonnes of sea cucumbers illegally stocked in a godown at Akkaraipettai and arrested two persons.
A few days later, CSG personnel raided another godown at Keechankuppam and seized 600 kg of sea cucumbers and arrested the godown owner.
The seized consignments and the accused were handed over to the Forest Department for registration of cases.
Prohibited
Sea cucumbers are an endangered marine species. Therefore, their catching and trading prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.