TUNIS, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian security forces have seized over one ton of illegally harvested coral and arrested three individuals in the northern province of Bizerte, the Tunisian state radio reported Monday.

According to a regional official cited by the radio, the customs guard unit in Bizerte raided a house in the Jarzouna neighborhood early Sunday, uncovering about 1,009 kgs of coral stored in cardboard boxes.

During the operation, authorities also seized 24,600 euros in foreign currency and a collection of jewelry, the value of which will be assessed by a legal expert.

Among the three arrested suspects, one is a foreign national. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to uncover further details related to the case.

Tunisian coral is considered one of the finest coral species in the world, but it is being illegally exploited. Unsustainable techniques are often used by divers to extract the coral from the Mediterranean, primarily off the coasts of Tunisia and Algeria. Once harvested, the coral is smuggled through Tunisia to other countries, where it is processed and sold. Enditem

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