Bhavnagar youth arrested in Surat for trying to sell ambergris worth ₹5.72 cr

The Surat city SOG (Special Operations Group) has arrested a man from Bhavnagar with 5.720 kilograms of ambergris popularly known as floating gold in the international market valued at ₹5.72 crore. The arrest took place near the Varachha Hirabaug Circle.

According to officials, the accused, Vipul Bambhaniya 40, a labourer from Bhadbadiya village in Bhavnagar, had found the ambergris around four months ago on the Hathab shore of Bhavnagar. He first tried to sell it locally in Bhavnagar but failed to find a buyer, after which he travelled to Surat in hopes of selling it.

Ambergris, a rare substance produced in the intestines of the sperm whale, is extremely valuable and is often referred to as floating gold in international trade.

Acting on a tip-off, a team led by SOG PI A P Chaudhary, along with ASI Hiteshsinh Dilipsinh and Head Constable Kiritbhai Samjibhai, set up a watch near Varachha Hirabaug Circle and apprehended Bambhaniya.

During interrogation, Bambhaniya revealed that at the time of discovery he was unaware of the substance’s true value. He later researched it on YouTube, learning that it could fetch crores of rupees in the global market.

The SOG has handed over Bambhaniya and the ambergris to the Forest Department in Dumas for further investigation and legal action.

Officials also seized his mobile phone, which reportedly contained photos of antique objects and videos related to superstitious rituals involving animals and birds.