Navy apprehends five suspects with 56 illegally caught sea cucumbers

The Navy apprehended 05 suspects with 56 illegally harvested sea cucumbers in the seas off Kokkupadayan today (05^th November).

Accordingly, the Northwestern Naval Command, during a special operation carried out, held these suspects whom were illegally harvesting sea cucumber by means of diving gear. Along with the suspects a dinghy, an outboard motor, 56 sea cucumbers and diving equipment had been seized.

The apprehended persons have been identified as residents of Silawathura, from 20 to 38 years of age. The suspects along with their belongings and illegally harvested sea cucumber were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar for onward investigation.