Mumbai Crime: 3 held with ‘vomit gold’ worth Rs 2.7 crore

The arrested trio with officers of crime branch’s Unit IV

Three people have been arrested for possessing 2.7 kg ‘ambergris', also known as floating gold or vomit gold, a substance found in the digestive system of sperm whales, worth Rs 2.7 crore. Possessing and selling the wax-like substance is a punishable offence under the Wildlife Protection Act as sperm whales are listed as an endangered species.

The seized ambergris valued at Rs 1 crore/kg

The accused arrested by Unit IV of Mumbai Crime Branch have been identified as Ramesh Waghela, Arvind Shah, Dhanaji Thakur. Unit IV received information about the sale of ambergris and deployed an officer as a dummy customer to confirm if it really was ambergris. The police got assistance from a team of marine biologists to verify the substance's authenticity.

DCP Prakash Jadhav of Mumbai Crime Branch said that further investigation in the case if being done. Police have found that the operation has a link to Gujarat. "A third person from Gujarat is suspected to have provided the ambergris and told them to find a customer," said Indrajit More, senior PI, Unit IV.

What is ambergris?

Ambergris is extremely valuable and rare, and is primarily used in the production of perfumes and musk products due to its unique smell. It has also been used in medicine and some also use it as food. "Sperm whales are very rare and 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 per cent produce ambergris. There are a lot of studies that claim that sperm whales vomit the substance but there is still no clarity if it is indeed that or excreta," said Harshad Karve, marine biologist from the state Mangroves Cell.

"In ancient times, ambergris was used as food but now the demand is very high in the perfume industry where it is used to preserve the smell," Karve added. According to experts, very few people in the industries concerned have knowledge about ambergris. Those who have the knowledge, know how to get it in the market. "Pure ambergris floats on the surface and after some time, it washes ashore. Anyone who has knowledge about it can get it but it is very rare. Sometimes, fishermen also get it in their fishing nets but they throw it back into the sea, not knowing what it is," Karve said.

2.7 kg
Quantity of the seized ambergris