Rameswaram: Marine Police have arrested six people and seized Rs 17 lakh worth sea cucumbers, cardamom and other banned items, meant for transporting to Sri Lankan, here.
Police sources said, acting on a tip-off, they stepped up surveillance and intercepted a gang along the coastal hamlet here.
Inquiries revealed that the gang members had brought the banned items from Kayalpattinam in Thoothukudi district.
During questioning, one of them, Saddam Hussain (28) of Kayalpattinam, confessed that they had planned to transport the contraband to Sri Lanka, through an agent.
They said as per the plan, the contrand items would be stored in Devipattinam and transport it at midnight through hired boats.
Police also arrested, one Kasim Mohamed of Keelakarai in connection with the seizures and were on the look for two others who were said to be involved in this.
Mobile phones seized from the accused revealed that they had contacted people in Sri Lanka. Further investigation is under progress.