Sea cucumbers seized; 2 held

Around 180 kg of dried sea cucumbers, an endangered marine species, stocked for being smuggled to Sri Lanka was seized and two persons were arrested in this connection near here today.
Acting on a tip-off, a police team from nearby Mandapam led by Inspector Periyasamy conducted a search at a house in the locality and found the sea cucumbers, police said.
Police arrested a man and a woman who were present in the house for allegedly stocking the contraband for smuggling.
The two were handed over to forest department for further action along with the seized sea cucumbers, police said.

Sea cucumbers are classified as an endangered species and their harvest is banned under the Wildlife Protection Act. They are in demand in south-east Asian countries for medicinal and other uses.