Ambergris Worth ₹1 Crore Seized Near Gandhinagar, One Arrested

Gandhinagar police have seized 1.02 kg of suspected ambergris, commonly referred to as whale vomit, allegedly being carried for illegal sale near Chiloda Circle. The seized substance has been valued at around ₹1.002 crore, and one person has been arrested in connection with the case.

Police received a tip-off that a man was carrying ambergris on the Chiloda-Shiholi road while looking for a potential buyer. Acting on the information, police arranged for the informer to pose as a customer and called the suspect to the service road near Chiloda Circle towards Ahmedabad.

Suspect Arrives With Black Bag

When the man arrived, police noticed that he was carrying a black bag on his shoulder. Officers stopped him and searched the bag, allegedly finding a transparent yellow plastic pouch containing irregularly shaped white and cream-coloured pieces.

The man was identified as Ejadahemad Nisarahmed Qureshi, 30, currently residing in Vavol, Gandhinagar, and originally from Patan.

Police said Qureshi could not produce any Forest Department permission or documents to establish the legal possession of the suspected ambergris.

FSL Conducts Preliminary Examination

An FSL officer was called to Chiloda police station to examine the suspected substance.

According to police, a small piece was heated with fire and another was placed in a bucket of water, where it floated. When one of the pieces was split into two, its inner portion reportedly appeared yellow.

The material was subsequently weighed on a digital weighing scale and was found to weigh 1 kg 20 grams. Police estimated its value at ₹1,00,20,000.

Police have registered a case against the accused and initiated further investigation into the source of the suspected ambergris and its intended sale.