Sea cucumbers weighing 200 kg seized in Tamil Nadu, 11 held

Mandapam Coastal Security police seized sea cucumbers weighing around 200 kg and have arrested 11 people from Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram district for their alleged involvement in the gathering and smuggling of the banned marine animal.

Rameswaram: Sea cucumbers weighing around 200 kg, meant to be smuggled, was seized at Mandapam beach here today.

The Mandapam Coastal Security police have arrested 11 people from Ramanathapuram district for their alleged involvement in the gathering and smuggling of the banned marine animal.

The investigation into the matter is underway.

Sea cucumbers, classified as endangered species and their harvest banned under the Wildlife Protection Act, are in demand in South-East Asian countries.