Rs 2.97 cr worth of Ambergris seized in Rajkot city, three arrested

Case handed over to Forest Department for further investigation.

The banned whale byproduct, used illegally in perfumes, falls under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.

Rajkot Police seized Ambergris worth ₹2.97 crore and arrested three men during a patrol operation.

The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajkot City Police on Thursday said they seized Rs 2.97 crore worth of Ambergris (sperm whale vomit) and arrested three persons for the alleged illegal possession of 2.963 kg of the banned substance.

Three persons including Narendra Mahipatsinh Jadeja (51), Paresh Chandrakant Shah (66) and Ashish Suresh Bhatt (48) – all residents of Surendranagar – were detained by the SOG.

A team led by PSI SB Ghasura were out patrolling when they received confidential information that someone was transporting Ambergris. Sure enough, when they stopped a car near Shashtri Maidan, they found the suspect Ambergris in the vehicle.

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While the Ambergris was sent for FSL testing, the case was handed over to the Forest Department for further investigation.

Ambergris is formed in the digestive tract of sperm whales and is often found floating in the sea and rarely even found on beaches and coastlines. It is highly prized for its scent and is used illegally in the production of perfumes.

Trade of Ambergris is banned in India as Sperm Whale is schedule 1 species under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

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