Huge haul of processed sea cucumber seized in Ramanathapuram district

In a major seizure in recent times, over 425 kilograms of processed sea cucumber was caught by a special team of officers from the Coastal Security Guard unit in Ramanathapuram district on Monday.

Following a specific input, the senior officers had intensified surveillance over the last three days in the coastal belt. Check posts were alerted and the number of personnel was also increased round-the-clock. A special team led by Sub-Inspector of Police Kalidoss zeroed in on a specific location in Kuravanthope in Vedalai near here in the wee hours.

On seeing the special team, the gang escaped under the cover of darkness in the south sea shore and in the forest area.

Physical inspection revealed that the gang had processed sea cucumber in two huge containers and packed them in 13 bags. “It may have been intended for smuggling to Sri Lanka by a vessel. At the right time, the illegal act was busted,” a senior officer, who was supervising the operation said.

Inspector General of Police Pravesh Kumar, DIG of Police D. Mahesh Kumar, SP Rohit Nathan and ADSP P. Balakrishnan of Coastal Security Group commended the special team, police said.

After registering a case under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 in Sections 9, 50, 51 (1) and 52, the police are on the look out for the absconding persons.

A forest department official said that the seized goods would be worth over ₹1 crore in the overseas market.