ED arrests sea cucumber smuggler from Rameswaram

CHENNAI: Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has arrested a smuggler from Rameswaram, who is consistently indulged in smuggling of sea cucumbers, a protected marine species.

A press release from ED said that smuggler Villayutham was arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

Villayutham was produced before a court in Madurai and the court has granted ED custody of the suspect for 8 days.

Sea cucumbers are crucial to the marine ecosystem as they consume decomposing organic matter and convert it into recyclable nutrients for other marine life.

ED had initiated money laundering investigation against Villayutham on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by Tamil Nadu Police and Wildlife Authorities under various sections of Wildlife Protection Act.

The PMLA investigation has revealed that Villayutham had, over the years, been using his business entities VVN Sea Foods, VV Agency, Hotel Raamajayam, VV Sea Shell Mart, VVI Dry Fish Process and Hotel Raamajayam Restaurant as a front for projecting the proceeds obtained from the illegal smuggling activities as legal business income.

He had deposited the proceeds of smuggling activities in the form of cash, amounting to multiple crore, in the bank accounts maintained in the names of himself, his wife, his children and various business entities operated by them. The proceeds of crime was utilised by Villayutham to repay loans amounting to multiple crore taken for various purposes including the loans availed in the names of his business entities, to purchase multiple movable and immovable properties including a hotel, to pay exorbitant fees for his childrens’ medical college education and to run his business entities, the release from ED said.