A man was arrested in Ghatkopar for trying to sell 1.3 kg of whale vomit. Yes, you read it correct! A 53-year-old man was nabbed by the police for selling ambergris (whale vomit) worth ₹1.7 crore in the illegal market.
Ambergris or 'whale vomit' is a rare and expensive wax that is produced as a secretion in the intestines of sperm whales to protect them from the sharp beaks of squid, which they eat, and is passed as vomit.
Also known as 'floating gold', ambergris can be found floating in tropical seas and is used as a fixative in the process of manufacturing perfumes since it is slowest in evaporating.
After receiving a tip, the police laid a trap and nabbed Nagpur resident Rahul Dupare. A police official said that they had seized 1.3 kg of ambergris, worth ₹1.7 crore. Accordingly, they had registered a case under the relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act and later arrested Dupare.
The Wildlife Protection Act (1972) states that any part of an endangered animal is illegal for sale. The sperm whale, protected under this Act, was declared an endangered species in 1970. Ambergris is soluble in alcohol, chloroform, ether, and certain volatile and fixed oils. The substance that was seized from Tupare has been sent to a lab for further examination.
Share
Tweet
