Man arrested in attempt to smuggle sea cucumber that cost rupees 60 Lakh

Sea cucumber worth Rs 60 lakh in the international market and meant to be smuggled to Sri Lanka was seized and a man arrested near here Saturday, police said. During a routine patrol, marine police found S Sadqiue in possession of 60 kg of sea cucumber off South Sea near Mandapam and detained him.

The sea cucumber was meant to be smuggled to Sri Lanka, police said adding Sadique had been arrested. The marine species, protected under the Wildlife Act in the country, is rampantly poached in view of demand in Southeast Asian nations for use as a delicacy.