Air intelligence unit of Chennai airport customs on Sunday detained three persons and seized 122 kg of sea cucumber from them. The trio has been handed over to the wildlife department for further action. Sea cucumbers are used in medicines in China and South-East Asian countries.

During interrogation the men were identified as Sikkander Hameed, Mohamed Sirajudheen and Ibrahim Mohamed Rafeek. All three had Indian passports and were bound for Singapore via Colombo.

Customs officials intercepted the three men based on a suspicion that they might be carrying contraband/prohibited goods in their baggage. While examining their baggage, the officers found dried sea cucumbers. Further inspection revealed that none had permit issued by the chief wildlife warden for export of sea cucumbers.

As export of sea cucumbers is prohibited under the provisions of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the passengers along with the seized goods were handed over to the officers of the wildlife department.