THOOTHUKUDI
In a joint operation carried out by Forest Department staff and Coastal Security Group personnel here on Sunday, 50 kg of sea cucumbers were seized and two persons arrested.
Based on a tip-off, the officials conducted a search in a house at Muthammal Colony here in the early hours of Sunday, and seized sea cucumbers that were stashed in two plastic tubs, sources told The Hindu .
The arrested were S. Ram (67) of Fifth Street, Muthammal Colony, and K. Velmurugan (34) of Mudukulathur in Ramanathapuram district. Sea cucumber is protected under Schedule I of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The seized sea cucumbers would be destroyed after being produced in court, the sources said.
Some people were smuggling sea cucumbers to Sri Lanka. Four cases related to sea cucumber smuggling had been booked here so far this year, and six persons arrested in this connection. A total fine of ₹5,000 was imposed on the offenders.
Eighteen cases were booked last year, the sources added.
