Two men were arrested in Mumbai for possessing and attempting to sell 1.3kg of ambergris or whale vomit worth Rs 1.7 crore.
Ambergris is a solid waxy substance originating as a secretion in the intestine of the sperm whale. It is found floating in tropical seas and widely used in perfume manufacturing.
The Ghatkopar police arrested 53-year-old Nagpur resident Rahul Tupare on Saturday after receiving a tip off. Tupare had come to Mumbai to sell the rare commodity.
Police also revealed that after questioning Tupare, another person from Gujarat was picked up in the city. Lalit Vyas had allegedly given Tupare the ambergris. Both Tupare and Vyas have been remanded in police custody till June 20.
The police said that they seized 1.3 kg of the prohibited item and have registered a case under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act. They added that experts have confirmed that it is ambergris.
The police said that more arrests can be expected as there may be a racket involved. They further added that they suspect sperm whales are being killed off to obtain the ambergris. Investigation is on to find more on the matter.
Officials said that ambergris rackets are active in India and abroad. Agents based in coastal areas usually facilitate the procurement of the ambergris and and supply it illegally because of its high demand.
The Thane Crime Branch had seized ambergris worth Rs 20 crore last year and arrested three persons in connection with the case.
The sperm whale was declared an endangered species in 1970 and is protected under the Wildlife Act. The police have said that the Act clearly defined that any part of an endangered animal is illegal for sale.
Also called floating gold or treasure of the sea, ambergris is formed inside the intestines of a sperm whale and is secreted as vomit or as part of the feces. Fresh ambergris gives out a pungent odour of feces. Once dried, the ambergris has a more pleasant fragrance. Ambrein, an odourless alcohol, is then extracted from the ambergris and used to make perfume's scent last longer.