Sea cucumber meant to be smuggled into Sri Lanka seized in Tamil Nadu

(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – Indian Police said 200kg of sea cucumber, meant to be smuggled to Sri Lanka, was seized from a mechanised boat nearby Mandapam, the Press Trust of India reported.

The seizure was made by Marine Police following a tip-off, they said, adding the smugglers jumped into the sea and escaped upon seeing the approaching Authorities.

The boat has been impounded and further investigation is under way, Police added.

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