Navy holds nine suspects for harvesting illicit sea cucumbers

The Navy held nine suspects for illegally harvesting sea cucumbers off Achchankulam, Mannar on (5) along with a set of diving gear, a dinghy and 168 sea cucumbers.

The suspects are residents of Vankalai in Mannar, from 25 to 58 years of age.

Their belongings were handed over to the Mannar Fisheries Inspector.

The Navy had apprehended 126 suspects and held 18,369 sea cucumbers during operations and produced them to relevant authorities last year.