(TMU) — Authorities in Peru have captured a ship that was carrying a massive illicit haul: over 12.3 million illegally caught seahorses worth over $6 million that was destined for Asian markets.

The vessel named “Adonay” was intercepted by Peruvian marines nearly 200 miles off the Pacific coastal city of Callao Monday, reports El Comercio.

Once authorities boarded the ship, they found 55 boxes filled with the dehydrated bodies of the small marine creatures in a load that weighed over 2,300 pounds.

The four crew members detained, including three Peruvians and one Venezuelan, will face anywhere from three to five years in prison.

Seahorses are a protected species in the South American nation. Fishing, transporting, and engaging in the trade of seahorses has been illegal in Peru since 2004.

El mar peruano se puso de luto, se intervino una embarcación en el Callao con aprox. 12 mm de caballitos de mar, c/u de ellos ha sido extraído de manera ilegal, ya que en el Perú está prohibida su extracción.Por favor RT esta info y asi seguir disfrutando d un océano sano