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CANADA: Federal police seized 17 tons of sea cucumber, a protected species of marine echinoderm, the Mexican government said.
The contraband was intercepted in two different police operations in the cargo area of Cancun International Airport. The consignments were bound for Hong Kong and Florida, respectively.
In the first case, police officers inspected a truck after the crew presented documents with glaring irregularities.
The officers called for assistance from the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission, which verified that the truck contained 11,000 kilos (24,230 lbs.) of pre-cooked, frozen sea cucumber with an estimated value of $550,000.
Authorities impounded the shipment and arrested the two men in the truck.
Separately, police detected flaws in the invoice and manifest submitted by a person driving a cargo vehicle carrying 6,000 kilos (13,215 lbs.) of pre-cooked, frozen sea cucumber, valued at $300,000.
Officers seized the cargo and detained the truck driver.
Sea cucumber, an invertebrate that produces phosphorus, nitrogen and oxygen vital for the ecosystem, is an endangered species.
