Home / Crime and Justice / Whale Vomit Worth Crores Seized in Maharashtra
Whale Vomit Worth Crores Seized in Maharashtra
2 Sep
Summary
- Nearly Rs 7 crore of ambergris seized in two days.
- Substance destined for luxury perfume markets in Mumbai and Pune.
- Ambergris, from sperm whales, used in expensive perfumes and medicines.
Sangli Rural police and forest department personnel apprehended a 32-year-old man in Kasbe Digraj village, Kolhapur, seizing ambergris worth Rs 4.5 crore. This operation occurred on Monday evening, following a previous seizure of ambergris valued at Rs 2.4 crore in Sindhudurg district just days earlier. The combined value of these two back-to-back seizures in western Maharashtra now approaches Rs 7 crore.
The arrested individual, from Ghunki village in Kolhapur district, was found with two boxes containing the valuable substance. Authorities have also registered a case against a suspected supplier from Malvan, Sindhudurg, whose current whereabouts are unknown. Preliminary investigations indicate that the seized ambergris was intended for major metropolitan markets such as Mumbai and Pune.
Ambergris, a waxy byproduct from sperm whales, is highly sought after globally. Its primary use is in the perfume industry, where it acts as a fixative to prolong fragrance. Additionally, in some cultures, it is incorporated into traditional medicines, particularly for ailments related to the nervous system and digestion. Police are actively investigating potential links between the Sangli and Sindhudurg seizures to dismantle the lucrative illegal trade network.
