The seized processed sea cucumber in Ramanathapuram.
| Photo Credit: L. BALACHANDAR
In a raid conducted at a private godown near Pattinamkathan in Ramanathapuram district, Q Branch police have seized processed sea-cucumber worth around ₹10 lakh and arrested a 48-year-old man.Following a tip-off, a team led by Q Branch Inspector Janaki was maintaining surveillance near the specific location on Friday night. When it stormed into the godown around 8.30 p.m., at least three persons ran away apprehending arrest. But the team managed to catch Shahjahan, 48, of Devipattinam.It came to light that the gang had procured sea-cucumber from fishermen in Devipattinam for ₹30 per piece and was processing and subsequently smuggling it to Sri Lanka. About 250 kg of sea-cucumber were stored in 10 jerry cans, the police said.The police team seized a weighing scale, hanging scale, a two-wheeler, LPG cylinder and a few handphones from the premises. After preliminary interrogation, the Q Branch police handed over the accused and the seized sea-cucumber to the Forest Range office.A forest official said smuggling or hoarding sea-cucumber in any form was an offence. Officials visited the premises where the gang had been processing and packaging it. They appeared to have been engaged in the illegal activity for atleast three months.The sea-cucumber, after processing, was being transported in two-wheelers as it would not be stopped at any check posts unless the officers had specific information. Hence, the officials said they would conduct discreet probe and examine the network.A team had been formed to secure the three accomplices of Shahjahan, a senior officer said. Published - October 04, 2025 10:11 pm IST
