Ambergris Worth ₹4.35 Crore Seized Near Bavla; Two Held

The Gujarat Police’s State Monitoring Cell (SMC) seized 4.354 kg of ambergris, commonly known as whale vomit, valued at ₹4.35 crore, from a parking area near Bavla in Ahmedabad Rural on Thursday. Two men were detained in connection with the alleged illegal possession and attempted sale of the substance.

The SMC team conducted a raid at the parking area of Akrati Arcade Complex on the Rajkot-Ahmedabad Highway near Bavla Chowkdi.

According to the police, the team intercepted Ajay Ashokbhai Chavda, a resident of Tarapur in Anand district, and Hitesh Dashrathbhai Chauhan, a resident of Bhetawada in Dholka taluka of Ahmedabad district. Several pieces of ambergris of different shapes and sizes were allegedly recovered during the operation.

The Forest Department and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) were involved in examining the seized substance. Police valued the ambergris at ₹4.35 crore, while the total value of the seized material and other articles was estimated at ₹4.38 crore.

The two men were detained under relevant provisions of the law and handed over to the Bavla police for further legal action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.

Probe Into Suspected Ambergris Network

During questioning, Chavda allegedly told investigators that Mehul Manishbhai Dabhi, a resident of Tarapur in Khambhat taluka, had called him to Bavla to facilitate the sale of the ambergris.

According to the preliminary investigation, Chavda travelled to Bavla with Kishanbhai Tikambhai Gohel, also a resident of Tarapur, and another person. The group reportedly went to Gowaliya Hotel in Bavla while arrangements were allegedly being made to bring the ambergris to the area.

Police said Chauhan had allegedly arrived from the Khambhat area carrying the substance. Meanwhile, Gohel was allegedly present in the parking area of Akrati Arcade Complex near Bavla Chowkdi when the SMC team conducted the operation.

Investigators are examining the roles of the other people named during preliminary questioning and the suspected network behind the procurement and attempted sale of the substance.

The Bavla police have taken over the investigation to establish the source of the ambergris, identify the intended buyer and determine whether others were involved in its transportation and attempted sale.