Ahmedabad Rural Police seize 3 kg ambergris worth over ₹3 crore, one held

Vivekanandnagar Police of Ahmedabad Rural district have arrested a 42-year-old man and seized 3.180 kilograms of whale vomit (ambergris), a protected wildlife derivative, valued at  ₹3.01 crore, in a major crackdown on illegal wildlife trade.

The arrest was made on January 7, following specific intelligence received during routine patrolling. Acting on the tip-off, a police team intercepted a suspicious individual near Shreeji Hospital on the Hathijan–Mehmadabad Road. The accused was identified as Rajeshbhai Babubhai Balar (Patel), a trader by profession, currently residing in Surat city and originally hailing from Shobhavad village in Talaja taluka of Bhavnagar district.

Police said Balar was found in possession of ambergris weighing 3 kg 180 grams without any valid permit or supporting documents. Ambergris, a rare substance formed in the digestive system of sperm whales, is listed under the Wildlife Protection Act, making its possession, sale and transportation illegal.

The operation was carried out under the broader drive initiated by Inspector General of Police Vidhi Chaudhary (Ahmedabad Range) and Superintendent of Police Om Prakash Jat (Ahmedabad Rural), who have directed strict action against organised networks involved in the trafficking of protected animal remains, particularly in districts with coastal linkages.

According to police, the seized material was examined in coordination with the Range Forest Officer and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) officials, who confirmed it to be ambergris. In addition to the contraband, police recovered a mobile phone worth ₹5,000 and a four-wheeler valued at ₹5 lakh, taking the total value of seized property to ₹3.06 crore.

A case has been registered at Vivekanandnagar Police Station, and further investigation is under way to trace possible links to larger wildlife trafficking syndicates.