Three men were apprehended in Ahmedabad’s Sarkhej area by the Local Crime Branch (LCB) Zone-7 for possessing 1.823 kg of ambergris, also known as whale vomit, valued at over Rs 1.82 crore. This crackdown occurred before the annual Rath Yatra as part of increased monitoring on illegal wildlife species trade under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The LCB Zone-7 team, led by Police Sub-Inspector H.D. Vaghela, seized the contraband near Sanathal Bridge on S.P. Ring Road.
The confiscated ambergris, estimated at Rs 1,82,30,000, along with a mobile phone valued at Rs 5,000, totaled Rs 1,82,35,000. The arrested individuals were identified as Vishwarajsinh Chudasama, Darshan Sabhad, and Veerpalsinh Rathod, hailing from different districts. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-7) Shivam Verma highlighted that these arrests were part of a strategic effort against illicit activities, following a tip-off about the illegal sale of ambergris in the area.
Verma mentioned that the seized material, sourced from Hasmukh Patel in Morbi, was intended for sale in Ahmedabad. The accused, with no prior criminal records, were caught during their search for a buyer. Ambergris, a valuable substance produced in sperm whales’ digestive systems, has a historical use in the perfume industry. However, its possession and trade are prohibited by Indian wildlife laws. Legal actions have been initiated against the trio, and investigations are ongoing to uncover additional links to the wildlife trafficking network.
