Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested two accused with more than 7 kg of ‘Vomit Gold’ also known as Ambergris, a substance found in the digestive system of the sperm whale.
Possessing and selling the wax-like substance is a punishable offence under the Wildlife Protection Act as sperm whales are listed as an endangered specie.
Two accused have been arrested from Alibaugh in Raigad district. Among the two arrested is the 44-year-old Prakash Pingle, a former police constable. Pingle used to be posted at Pydhonie Police Station, and was dismissed from service in 2016. The second arrested is 36-year-old Amit Patil.
Crime Branch Unit 03 received information about the sale of ambergris and deployed an officer as a dummy customer. Based on the information the trap was led and the accused were arrested.
“Very few people have knowledge about the ambergris, and those who know, they learn a lot about it from the internet. Due to the heavy demand, some try to sell this in illegal market to make easy money,” Said Sopan Kakad, senior PI Unit 03.
Last week too three people were arrested for possession of 2.7 kg ambergris worth R2.7 crore. That arrest was made by Unit 04 of the Mumbai Crime Branch.
Sperm whales are very rare and are found in the deep sea. They are different from other whales and stay inside the sea for a longer time. Out of the whole population of sperm whales, only one or two percent produce Ambergris. Ambergris is extremely rare and valuable. The demand for ambergris is very high in the perfumes industry and it is being sold at the rate of 1 crore Rupees per kilogram. The ambergris helps to maintain the unique smell and the product can be preserved for a longer time.