RAMANATHAPURAM

In three separate pre-dawn operations on Sunday, the Marine Police of the Coastal Security Group (CSG) and Mandapam range forest personnel seized 380 kg of endangered sea cucumber, protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, and arrested three persons.

While a Marine Police team, led by Sub-Inspectors JothiBasu and Rajkumar, seized 250 kg of sea cucumber after intercepting a country boat on the high seas near Mandapam jetty, a Forest Department team, led by Range Officer S. Sathish, seized 100 kg live sea cucumber and another 30 kg of the marine species in two separate operations.

Following information that those acting at the behest of smugglers changed the modus operandi and collected sea cucumber from mechanised boat fishermen in the early hours, the Marine Police team ventured into the sea in a boat at 3.30 a.m. and intercepted a country boat, which was returning to the shore after collecting the species from fishermen.

The team detained boat rider S. Ajmeer Khan (27) of Vedhalai and seized the boat. The team later handed over Khan, the seized sea cucumber and boat to the Forest personnel, Mr. JothiBasu said.

Mr. Sathish, who led a team of Forest Guards and Anti-poaching Watchers, seized 100 kg of sea cucumber on Mandapam north seashore after arresting I. Askar Ali (25) from Mandapam. As the species were alive, they released them back into the sea near Pamban road bridge after obtaining permission from the local Magistrate, he said.

In another operation, the forest personnel chased one A. NagoorMeeran (22), who was carrying 30 kg of sea cucumber on a two-wheeler, and arrested him, Mr. Sathish said.

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) acted with the forest personnel in the two operations after providing intelligence inputs, P.T. Pradeep, Inspector of Police, WCCB, said.

All the three accused were arrested under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act. They were produced before the local Magistrate and remanded in judicial custody.

Mr. Sathish said though fishermen were advised to release sea cucumber which they caught inadvertently while fishing, some greedy fishermen sold it to smugglers.

The department proposed to hold talks with mechanised boat owners and caution them against indulging in such illegal acts, he said.