Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (CDS)

Mumbai, Jun 20: Ghatkopar police arrested two individuals attempting to sell extremely rare Ambergris (whale vomit) worth Rs 1.70 crore in the black market.

Whale Ambergris is a very expensive wax that is found as secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale. It is commonly found floating in tropical seas and is used to manufacture perfumes.

The police were tipped off and arrested Rahul Tupare, 53, a Nagpur resident who had entered the city to sell the Ambergris which weighed slightly more than a kilogram on Saturday.

Deputy commissioner of police, zone 7, Akhileshkumar Singh said, “When we caught Tupare, he was found in possession of semi-solid rock-like lump.” After investigating Tupare, the police arrested Lalit Vyas, 44, who is originally from Gujarat. Vyas had given the natural byproduct to Tupare. Singh further said, “The scent is said to be pleasant and certain companies use it for perfumes. Experts have examined the seizure who have prima facie confirmed that it is Ambergris.”

“We suspect involvement of more people and a racket cannot be ruled out,” said Singh. The police have mentioned that they are investigating the matter further and have also sent a team to Gujarat to find potential links. Under the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, the police have arrested the accused. Singh mentions, “The act clearly defines that any part of an endangered animal is illegal for sale.”

Whale Ambergris is formed in a sperm whale’s digestive system. It is commonly described as floating gold and is believed to be passed out of the sperm whale in the form of vomit or through faeces. Ambergris due to its slow evaporating property is used in perfumes as a fixative.

Even though Ambergris can be found floating, the police are still investigating if sperm whales were killed for obtaining the rare possession. A police officer acquainted to the case says, “Finding Ambergris is extremely difficult and is usually exported to the Gulf where it fetches very high prices. Fishermen, who believe it as a fortune, may have killed the whale and we are probing further into this.” He further added, “There is also superstition attached to it. Burning it for good scent will make one rich is a notion.”

In 1970, the sperm whale was declared as an endangered species. The lump seized from the accused will be sent for examination to the lab.

Last October, three men were arrested by the Kalwa police in Thane for possession of whale vomit worth Rs 2 crore as well as 6 kg pangolin scales worth Rs 20 lac. The accused claimed to have obtained the substance floating in the sea in Ratnagiri.