The Coastal Security Group (CSG) seized five tonnes of sea cucumber – an endangered marine species – illegally stocked in a godown at Akkaraipettai in Nagapattinam on Thursday. This is by far the biggest seizure made by the CSG personnel, who had raided the godown based on a tipoff. Four tonnes of sea cucumber were processed and one tonne was under processing when the seizure was made, the CSG sources said. The value of the seized contraband was put at Rs.5 crore in the international market. M.Kubendran (40), landowner, and his associate T.Senthil (39) were arrested in connection with the seizure.
Sea cucumber is mainly smuggled to South East Asian countries through Rameswaram and Kodiakarai and through air, the sources said. The contraband and the duo were handed over to the Forest Department for registration of case under the Wildlife Protection Act.