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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Indian Express
Ambergris — banned whale vomit — worth Rs 2.98 crore seized in Rural Ahmedabad, two arrested
The Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Ahmedabad Rural Police on Sunday arrested two men with 2.976 kg of illicit sperm whale vomit (ambergris), police said. Based on a tip-off, the Ahmedabad Rural SOG conducted a raid near the Sarkhej-Sanand Highway, close to Gibpura village that falls under Sanand police station. During the operation, two suspects who were allegedly in possession of ambergris were apprehended. 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.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Ahmedabad Rural police seize ambergris worth ₹2.97 crore, two arrested
The Ahmedabad Rural Special Operations Group (SOG) seized 2.97 kg of ambergris, commonly known as sperm whale vomit, worth nearly ₹2.97 crore in the international market and arrested two people during a raid near the Sarkhej–Sanand Highway. Acting on a tip-off, the SOG intercepted two suspects near Gibpura village under Sanand police station limits and recovered 2.976 kg of ambergris, said Om Prakash Jat, Superintendent of Police, Ahmedabad Rural. The seized material, confirmed by forest officials and forensic experts, is estimated to be worth ₹2.97 crore in the international market, he said. Along with the ambergris, two mobile phones and ₹700 in cash were also confiscated from the accused. The arrested men were identified as Yogeshbhai Tulshibhai Makwana (30), a resident of Bhavnagar, and Pantukumaar Bharatbhai Patel (37), a resident of Ahmedabad. During interrogation, they revealed that the ambergris had been supplied by one Bharatbhai Vallabhbhai Sarvaiya of Bhavnagar and they were looking for buyers due to its high market demand, Mr. Jat said. 'Ambergris trade is banned in India as the sperm whale is a Schedule I species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). This seizure reflects our commitment to curbing illegal wildlife trade,' Mr. Jat said. The accused have been handed over to the Forest Department, Sanand, which has initiated legal proceedings under the Wildlife Protection Act. Ambergris, a rare substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales, is highly sought after in the international market for its use in perfumes and traditional medicine, despite the global ban on its trade.
