8 Sri Lankans, 4 Indians nabbed for smuggling sea cucumbers and turmeric: Indian Coast Guard

The Indian Coast Guard and the Customs Department officers jointly arrested 8 Sri Lankan fishermen with five boats and 4 Indians for smuggling sea cucumbers and edible turmeric.

The Indian Coast Guard and the Customs Department officers jointly arrested 8 Sri Lankan fishermen with five boats and 4 Indians for smuggling sea cucumbers and edible turmeric. The Indian Coast Guard arrested four fishing boats from Sri Lanka and 8 fishermen for fishing across the border while smuggling 600 kg of edible turmeric and 250 kg of processed sea cucumber to Puttalam in Sri Lanka.

"In an operation along the international border, The Indian Coast Guard and the Customs Department officers jointly arrested four people from Mandapam who smuggled sea cards and edible turmeric to Sri Lanka," tweeted the Indian Coast Guard. During the investigation, the eight Sri Lankan fishermen said that due to the speed of the wind, they changed their direction and came to catch fish in the Indian waters.

As per the release, the Indian Coast Guard received confidential information, after which the Indian Coast Guard personnel and Customs officers engaged in joint patrolling along the India-Sri Lanka International Sea Border. Subsequently, the boat belonging to the mandapam along with the edible turmeric, sea cucumber were handed over to the officials of the Mandapam Customs Department, stated the release.

Also, the eight Sri Lankan fishermen who were arrested for fishing across the border were taken to the Indian Coast Guard Mandapam camp by boat and handed over to the Mandapam Marine Police. The accused will be presented in court and will face imprisonment. Sea cucumbers are echinoderms, that live on the sea floor. Due to its structure and shape, it is known to be a cucumber. They are a rich source of protein and are highly nutritious. (ANI)

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