Ambergris — banned whale vomit — worth Rs 2.98 crore seized in Rural Ahmedabad, two arrested

The seized quantity of ambergris weighed 2.976 kg, with an estimated international value of Rs 2.98 crore. “Two mobile phones worth Rs 2,000 and Rs 700 in cash were also seized,” said Superintendent of Police, Ahmedabad Rural, Om Prakash Jat.

The arrested persons include Yogesh Tulsi Makwana (30) from Bhavnagar and Pantukumaar Bharatbhai Patel (37), a resident of Sabarmati, Ahmedabad.

“During questioning, the arrested accused revealed that the ambergris was provided to them by one Bharat Vallabh Sarvaiya, a resident of Bhavnagar, and that they were searching for potential buyers due to its high-market value. The seized ambergris has been verified by the Range Forest Officer and FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) experts, and the accused have been handed over to the Forest Department, Sanand, for legal action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act,” said the Ahmedabad Rural Police.

Trade of ambergris is banned in India as the sperm whale is a schedule 1 species under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

With this latest seizure, a total of 7.88 kg of ambergris has been seized in three cases in Ahmedabad district in the last three-and-a-half months. The previous two seizures were made by the Crime Branch of Ahmedabad City Police with 2 kg of ambergris seized on August 6, and 2.904 kg confiscated on April 30.

Ambergris, which means gray amber in French, is a waxy substance that originates from the digestive system of the protected sperm whales. Traditionally, it is used to produce perfumes that have notes of musk.

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