BENGALURU: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has dismantled a major smuggling network by arresting three individuals from Tamil Nadu involved in the illegal trade of dried seahorses. The operation, conducted at Kempegowda International Airport, led to the seizure of 6,626 dried seahorses.
Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers apprehended the suspects on August 3 at Terminal-1. The individuals were traveling to Singapore via Mumbai on a private airline when their checked baggage was examined, revealing the illegal cargo. This seizure is one of the largest in recent times, highlighting the significant scale of the operation.
All three suspects, in their mid-30s, are currently under investigation. DRI sources revealed that on August 4, the key figure behind the smuggling network was also apprehended. This individual was instrumental in coordinating the procurement and shipment of seahorses to Singapore. The investigation aims to uncover the broader network operating between India and Southeast Asian countries.
In India, all seahorse species are protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, making their trade illegal. The seahorses were seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The demand for dried seahorses in Southeast Asian markets is driven by their use in traditional medicine, gourmet cuisine, and as ornamental species for aquariums. In traditional Chinese medicine, seahorses are valued for their purported health benefits, while they are also considered a delicacy in some culinary traditions.