Mangaluru: Coast Guard personnel on Friday night arrested as many as 29 fishermen on charges of gaining illegal entry to the Indian waters and poaching sea cucumbers, a banned species.
About 9300 kg of sea cucumbers and two fishing boats were also seized.
Suspecting foul play of some foreign fishermen at Cheraniani in Lakshadweep on Friday night, the local fishermen alerted the Kavaratti police who in turn passed on the information to the Central Office of the Coast Guard. The officials concerned visited the spot in a vigilance ship and when checked for documents, the racket came to the fore.
Sea cucumbers fetch a huge price in the international markets.
The Coast Guard Department has registered a case of illegal entry into Indian waters against the fishermen. They are expected to be brought to New Mangalore Port on Monday for taking further legal action. They are likely to be handed over to the Coastal Security Police Force here.
