Sea cucumbers play an important role in maintaining the marine ecological system. (Thinkstock)
More than 350 kilograms of sea cucumber, an endangered marine species, were seized and four persons arrested for allegedly hoarding them for smuggling near Tuticorin on Sunday, police said.
Acting on a tip-off that sea cucumber had been hoarded on a large scale for being smuggled to Singapore and some other countries, Coastal Security Group Police raided Pullaveli area near Tuticorin and seized 360 kilograms of the protected marine life.
They arrested four persons who had allegedly hoarded the sea cucumbers for being smuggled.
The worth of the seizure was about Rs.35 lakh in the domestic market, police said.