Home / Crime and Justice / Lakshadweep: Sea Cucumber Poachers Face Money Laundering Probe
Lakshadweep: Sea Cucumber Poachers Face Money Laundering Probe
5 Mar
Summary
- Two cases filed against four individuals for illegal sea cucumber trade.
- Protected sea cucumbers, vital for international markets, are central to charges.
- Money laundering charges stem from alleged poaching and attempted sale of sea cucumbers.
In Lakshadweep, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has initiated legal proceedings against four individuals across two separate cases involving the illegal hunting, possession, and attempted trade of protected sea cucumbers. These cases, filed before the Special Court for PMLA Cases in Kavaratti, were lodged under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
The first case targets T.P. Mukbeel from Agatti, accused of illegally trading sea cucumbers, a Schedule-I protected species. In November 2018, Agatti police seized 52 dried sea cucumbers, weighing 8.42 kg, from his residence. Scientific identification confirmed their protected status. Sea cucumbers are highly sought after in East and Southeast Asian markets for culinary and medicinal uses, driving a significant black-market trade in Lakshadweep.
The second incident involves Salmanul Faris Theeku Keelapura, Irfanudheen Uriyoda, and Ramesh Khan N.P., who were booked following the seizure of 219 sea cucumbers on January 11, 2020, near Suheli Cheriyakara Island. The confiscated items included 173 dead, processed specimens and 46 live ones, totaling 234 kg, along with a boat.
The ED's investigation, initiated in January 2021, found that the alleged acts of illegal acquisition, possession, processing, and concealment of these protected species with intent to trade constituted money laundering. Despite no immediate traceable assets, the ED asserted the accused's direct involvement in deriving proceeds of crime, facilitating their prosecution alongside ongoing wildlife offense cases.
