Whale vomit worth ₹12 crore seized in Bhavnagar, 2 arrested

In a joint raid by the police and the forest department in Mahuva, Bhavnagar, two men were arrested for possessing 12 kilos of whale vomit, known as ambergris, which is highly valuable and sought after in global markets. The total value of the seized ambergris is estimated to be ₹12 crore.

The men arrested are an elderly man and his nephew, both residents of Mahuva. The police had received a tip-off that ambergris was being hidden at a local factory, Shri Chamunda Dye Works, in Bhavani Nagar, Mahuva. Based on this information, the police, along with the forest department, conducted a raid and found the valuable stock of ambergris hidden at the factory.

During the investigation, it was revealed that about a year and a half ago, Ramji Shiyal had found the ambergris on the shores near the Bhavani Mandir area in Mahuva. He then informed his nephew Jaydeep, who had studied in Vadodara, and they decided to keep the ambergris hidden in their factory with the intention of selling it for a high price.

Ambergris, which is used in the production of perfumes and even some medicines, is illegal to trade without proper authorisation as it comes from whales. Both suspects were arrested, and the police have filed charges under the Wildlife Protection Act. Further investigation is underway.