T’puram: Forest officials have arrested two men while allegedly attempting to sell around 80 sea cucumbers, a protected marine species found on the seabed and among coral reefs, near the Kovalam Lighthouse.The accused have been identified as Ajimon, 46, of Panavoor, and Shijukumar, 41, of Venganoor. They were apprehended along with the vehicle allegedly used to transport the sea cucumbers while attempting to sell them near a private hotel close to the lighthouse.A team led by officials of the Paruthipally forest range conducted the operation and seized the marine animals, which are reportedly valued at lakhs of rupees in the international market.Forest officials said this is the first case in which the state forest department has directly intercepted a group involved in the illegal trade of sea cucumbers. In 2024, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Kochi, had also intercepted a group involved in a similar case.Sea cucumbers are considered a valuable delicacy in countries such as Malaysia and Singapore, making them a target for illegal smuggling.Paruthipally range officer Vipin Chandran is leading the investigation, assisted by forest officials Anu Krishnan, Jijimon, Pradeep, Mukesh, Manu Chandran, Vishnu, Ramya and Pradeep.
