Indian Coast Guard Intercepts Illegal Sea Cucumbers Near Mandapam
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Synopsis
The Indian Coast Guard has successfully seized a large quantity of illegally harvested sea cucumbers off the Mandapam coast, reaffirming its commitment to combating marine wildlife trafficking and protecting marine biodiversity.
Key Takeaways
- 145 kg of illegally harvested sea cucumbers seized.
- Estimated market value of seized goods is Rs 58 lakh.
- Operation underscores commitment to marine biodiversity.
- Coast Guard continues to combat smuggling and poaching.
- Recent successes include narcotics seizures alongside wildlife protection efforts.
Chennai, April 14 (NationPress) In a significant operation targeting marine wildlife trafficking, the Indian Coast Guard Station (ICGS) at Mandapam successfully intercepted a substantial shipment of unlawfully harvested sea cucumbers off the North Vedalai coastline.
According to a statement released by the Indian Coast Guard on Monday, they acted on specific intelligence regarding questionable activities in proximity to a beaching area, prompting Coast Guard personnel to promptly initiate an operation that resulted in the confiscation of roughly 145 kilograms of sea cucumbers, classified as a protected marine species under the Wildlife Protection Act.
An official indicated that the estimated market value of the seized goods is around Rs 58 lakh, based on publicly available data.
This operation not only prevented the illegal transshipment of endangered marine species but also highlighted the Coast Guard's commitment to conserving India’s marine biodiversity.
“The Coast Guard reiterated its dedication to defending the nation’s maritime interests and will persist in its anti-smuggling and anti-poaching operations, along with initiatives for marine environmental protection,” the official stated.
This incident marks the latest in a series of successful interventions by ICG Mandapam.
In a recent anti-narcotics operation near the Indo-Sri Lankan International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), an Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) recovered 12 abandoned packages on First Island.
Upon examination, authorities confiscated 53.62 kg of ganja valued at Rs 60 lakh, which has been turned over to the Customs Department for further proceedings.
In March 2024, the Coast Guard, collaborating with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Chennai, seized 99 kg of hashish worth Rs 108 crore from a country boat bound for Sri Lanka in the Gulf of Mannar.
Based on intelligence gathered by DRI’s Chennai Zonal Unit, surveillance was conducted using a Coast Guard vessel. Early in the morning, a suspicious country boat was identified and intercepted after a brief pursuit. Upon inspection, five sacks containing 111 packets of hashish—a sticky brown substance confirmed via field testing kits—were unearthed and seized under the NDPS Act.
Three individuals on board were arrested and taken to ICG Station in Mandapam.
During questioning, they confessed to obtaining the narcotics from a supplier in Pamban and were en route to deliver them to unidentified recipients from Sri Lanka in international waters.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the narcotics were sourced from various regions in India for onward transshipment to Sri Lanka using traditional country boats.
The principal supplier, located in Pamban, is suspected of orchestrating the entire smuggling operation.
The Indian Coast Guard has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance against maritime crimes, particularly those related to smuggling, poaching, and threats to marine ecology.
