Sri Lankan naval forces have arrested a dozen individuals and recovered over 14,000 sea cucumbers during an anti-smuggling operation in Mannar, with authorities also confiscating vessels and motorcycles used in the alleged operation.

The Sri Lanka Navy conducted a search operation on July 28 in the Mannar district that resulted in the arrest of 12 suspects engaged in illegal sea cucumber trafficking. Operating under the North Central Naval Command's SLNS Gajaba unit, naval personnel acted on credible intelligence to target suspected smuggling activities in the South Bar beach area and surrounding coastal zones.

During the operation, authorities intercepted a substantial consignment of 14,072 sea cucumbers that were being transported by sea and subsequently prepared for overland movement without proper authorization. The suspects, all residents of Mannar ranging in age from 24 to 46 years, were apprehended at the scene. In addition to the marine commodity, naval forces seized three dinghies and two motorcycles believed to have been utilized in the smuggling network.

Following their arrest, the suspects along with all seized materials—the sea cucumbers, vessels, and motorcycles—were transferred to the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries in Mannar to proceed with legal action. The operation represents a significant enforcement effort against illegal wildlife trafficking in Sri Lankan waters, as sea cucumbers are a protected marine resource subject to strict regulation and export controls.