sea cucumber seized

India: The customs officials today seized about 500 kg of processed sea cucumber, worth about Rs one crore, at the Gulf of Mannar sea coast near Mandapam here when it was being loaded in a country boat for Sri Lanka.

However, the persons who were loading the sea cucumber managed to escape on seeing the customs officials, who were patrolling in the area, police said.

Sea cucumbers, classified as endangered species and their harvest banned under the Wildlife Protection Act, are in great demand in South-East Asian countries considering its medicinal value.

(Source: The Business Standard)