Investigation deepens in Rs 10 crore whale vomit case as police track supply chain
Assam Police seizes drugs worth Rs 11.5 crore in two separate operations
Margao:
A day after the arrest of three persons with nearly 6kg of ambergris, commonly known as whale vomit, worth over Rs 10 crore, Sanguem police continue their investigation into what they suspect to be a sophisticated interstate smuggling network.
Sainath Shet from Ponda, Ratuakant Karapurkar from Zuarinagar, and Vegesh Redkar from Sawantwadi were remanded in four-day police custody after they were found in possession of the banned substance at Dabamol, Sanguem.
'The choice of Dabamal village as a trading point remains puzzling,' said a senior police official. 'It's a close-knit community where outsiders are easily noticed, yet the accused chose this location for their transaction.'
The seizure of two vehicles provided crucial leads about the transportation routes to the police, though police officials remain tight-lipped over the progress of the investigation. South Goa SP Tikam Singh Verma told
TOI
that the police obtained some crucial leads in the matter and that they are actively working on them. Police said that more arrests in the case may follow.
The case has taken on greater significance as police draw connections to the Feb 2024 seizure by the Konkan Railway police, where two Kerala residents were caught with nearly 6kg of whale vomit valued at Rs 5.6 crore at the Margao railway station.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting
Luxeartisanship
Buy Now
Undo
Ambergris, a waxy substance produced in sperm whales' digestive systems, is highly valued in the perfume industry. However, its sale and possession are prohibited in India under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, as it is considered a derivative from protected marine mammals. The substance's rarity and high value make it attractive to smugglers despite severe legal consequences.
The three accused were charged under the Wildlife Protection Act's Section 39 (wild animals, to be govt property), Section 44 (prohibits dealing in trophies and animal articles without a licence), Section 49B (prohibits dealing in trophies, animal articles, derived from scheduled animals), and Section 51 (outlines penalties for offences committed under the Act). Police said that the accused intended to trade the ambergris for monetary gain without possessing any authorisation.
Police are now also examining possible connections between the current case under investigation and the 2020 Sawantwadi case, where three Goans were arrested.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
Sidhu Moosewala's father writes to Mumbai Police to stop the proposed screening of a documentary about his son on June 11
Bathinda: The father of slain Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moosewala has called on Mumbai Police to block the public screening of a BBC documentary about his son's murder, alleging it could compromise the ongoing trial and infringe upon the family's rights. Balkaur Singh, father of the late artist — whose real name was Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu — has filed formal complaints with the Mumbai Police commissioner and Juhu police station, urging authorities to stop the screening scheduled for June 11 at Soho House, Juhu. The event, organised by the BBC World Service, is being advertised as an "investigative documentary" that claims to reveal hidden details about Moosewala's killing. Moosewala's father has also expressed concern that the film includes "unauthorised and unpublished" material, including private testimonies and sensitive information related to his son's life and death. He writes in his complaint that the documentary uses Moosewala's name, image and personal history without family consent, and could prejudice the ongoing murder trial. "The screening could misrepresent and exploit my son's story, interfere with judicial proceedings, and provoke public unrest due to the sensitive subject matter," Balkaur Singh wrote, warning the public that the film might violate Indian legal protections on privacy, defamation, and posthumous dignity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free Trial Dexcom Click Here Undo Enclosing a copy of the invitation, Balkaur Singh said the screening was set to run from 3 to 6 pm on June 11, and called for police intervention, including the deployment of officers at the venue and the issuance of prohibitory orders under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) or other applicable laws. He also claimed to be preparing civil and legal action against the film's producers and organisers. However, he emphasised that immediate steps were needed to "safeguard the dignity and legacy" of his late son and prevent the circulation of "unlawful or defamatory content." Sidhu Moosewala was shot during May 2022 in Punjab's Mansa district. His killing triggered public outrage and remains the subject of a high-profile criminal investigation. MSID:: 121696740 413 |
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
Pujari assures action against sand mafia
Bhubaneswar: Revenue minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday said Odisha would not be allowed to follow the lawless path in sand operations like it is in Bihar and West Bengal, while responding to the recent assault of an additional tehsildar in Kaptipada block, Mayurbhanj district, by the sand mafia. He promised stringent action against the sand mafia regardless of their connections, while speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday. "The Kaptipada incident represents a serious escalation in conflict between law enforcement and the sand mafia. The attack on officers performing their enforcement duties is similar to Bihar and West Bengal, where criminals challenge state authority. The administration's commitment in curbing illegal sand trafficking faces violent resistance from well-organised criminal networks. We pledged decisive action against both the direct perpetrators and their masterminds," said Pujari. This zero-tolerance approach signals a strong message that such attacks on govt officials will not be tolerated. The incident serves as a watershed moment in the ongoing battle against illegal sand mining operations, officials said. Kaptipada additional tehsildar Bhimakanta Majhi suffered injuries after an attack by the sand mafia near Suno river bed on Monday morning. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Keep Your Home Efficient with This Plug-In elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo In the incident, Majhi's car was damaged. Majhi, based on intelligence reports, went to inspect sand being lifted illegally using excavators. When he opposed it, he was attacked. Police said the miscreants, mostly goons of the sand mafia, intercepted Majhi's car and tried to stop him from venturing into the sand lifting site in the river bed. Pujari announced free sand provision for Pradhan Mantri Awas beneficiaries, with a draft standard operating procedure (SOP) already in preparation to streamline the process. "The most important thing is how to facilitate the supply of sand at low cost to the lower middle class and poor. We will introduce the provision of issuing permits to beneficiaries of PM Awas to lift at least two tractor fulls of sand for free for construction of houses. The PM Awas will be free from the sand cost burden," Pujari told reporters. BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty commented that the minister's statements are merely an attempt to whitewash the obvious collusion between administration officials and the mining mafia. "Instead of taking concrete action, the minister has limited himself to making empty rhetoric," he said. Mohanty said there has been a drastic decline in revenue from minor minerals from Rs 1,485 crore in 2023-24 to just Rs 600 crore in 2024-25.
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Drug cartel's hawala cash trail ends in washing machine in Goa flat, Rs 50L seized
Hyderabad: In a major breakthrough, Telangana Anti Narcotics Bureau's (TGANB) investigation to trace the inter-state hawala cash trail of international drug cartels ended in a washing machine in a Goa flat, from which it seized Rs 50 lakh a few days ago. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now TGANB director Sandeep Shandilya, said the money, collected over just two days, was moments away from being laundered to Nigeria. "Had we delayed the raid by an hour, the entire amount would have been transferred. It was neatly stashed inside the washing machine, ready for dispatch," he said. Following a month-long surveillance operation in Goa, TGANB --- assisted by Goa police --- zeroed in on hawala transactions being conducted from Sangeetha Mobile Shop in Mapusa and an apartment in Goa's Highland Park. The key accused, Uttam Singh, who runs the mobile shop, was arrested. Investigators revealed he had laundered Rs 2.1 crore of drug proceeds in just one week. "Drug money collected in cash was handed over to Uttam, often by foreign nationals. He then moved the funds to Mumbai through informal channels, and from there, it was transferred to Nigeria," Shandilya explained. The investigation into the hawala trail started after Nigerian national Emmanuel Bediako, alias Maxwell, revealed it to TGANB. Between May 26 and June 1, officials tracked 58 hawala transactions involving Rs 2.1 crore. A few days after establishing this link, a raid on Highland Park apartment led to the recovery of Rs 50 lakh in cash. Over the past month, four Nigerian nationals have been arrested during TGANB operations in Goa. Crime branch in Goa also seized narcotics worth Rs 1.6 crore, including ecstasy and cocaine, from them. Authorities believe Uttam is one of several hawala operators facilitating cross-border drug money transfers. Police suspect a wider network of hawala operators is active, working hand-in-glove with international narcotics cartels.
