The Forest Department personnel have seized 21 kgs of fresh sea cucumber, an endangered species, protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.
Acting on a tip off, a special team, led by S Ganeshalingam, Forest Ranger visited the Devipattinam coastal area on Monday and arrested one H Abdul Rahman (41), who was in possession of the endangered species.
The suspected accused was about to carry the sea cucumber in a two-wheeler when the team, comprising guard S Joseph and anti-poaching watcher S Saravanan surrounded and detained him, MrGaneshalingam said. They also seized the two-wheeler, he said.
Rahman had procured the endangered species from local fishermen. During interrogation, Rahman told the forest personnel that he would process the sea cucumber after boiling and wait for smugglers to procure from. People would come from Mandapam and Thoothukudi to procure the processed sea cucumbers.
