Sunday, 18 July 2021 - 13:24
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has confiscated 300 kilograms of banned sea cucumbers that were to be smuggled to Sri Lanka. They have also arrested and jailed seven persons involved in the smuggling incident and seized over 24 boats worth over 2 million rupees used for smuggling.
Due to the proximity of Rameswaram to Sri Lanka, a large number of banned sea cucumbers, including sea lizards and dolphin paddles have been smuggled across the Gulf of Mannar in recent times.
Last Tuesday, the Mandapam Forest Department patrolled the sea following information received that sea cucumbers were being smuggled to Sri Lanka from the Vedalai beach area in Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu.