Six individuals were arrested near Bill Canal Road in Vadodara for possession of ambergris—commonly known as whale vomit—worth ₹1.58 crore.
According to a media report, acting on a tip-off, the Vadodara Zone 2 Local Crime Branch (LCB), along with the Forest Department and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), conducted a raid near the canal and recovered the rare substance. Along with the ambergris, police also seized six mobile phones and a car, taking the total value of seized items to ₹1.65 crore.
Those arrested have been identified as:
- Suresh Chavda
- Gautam Vasava
- Dipak Rabari
- Siddharth alias Sunny Bharwad
- Raju alias Sanjay Bharwad
- Suraj Singh Kaboj
What is Ambergris and Why Is It Valuable?
Ambergris is a rare, waxy substance formed in the intestines of sperm whales—animals protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act. Contrary to its nickname, “whale vomit,” it is usually excreted through the whale’s digestive system and can float on ocean surfaces for years, hardening over time.
Highly prized for its distinct musky scent and fixative properties, ambergris is used in the production of luxury perfumes and in traditional medicine. It can fetch tens of thousands of dollars per kilogram on the black market.
Despite sometimes being found naturally washed up on shores, the collection and trade of ambergris is illegal in India, as it is classified as a wildlife product. Its high value poses a threat to whale conservation by encouraging illegal exploitation.