Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, Sep 23: The Ahmedabad City Crime Branch has arrested three persons and seized 1.051 kg of ambergris, a substance derived from sperm whales, allegedly being transported for sale in the Naroda area, officials said on Wednesday.

The seized material, commonly referred to as whale vomit, is valued at approximately Rs 1.05 crore, police said.

The Crime Branch received information that three persons were moving around Naroda with ambergris allegedly intended for sale and transportation. Acting on the information, separate teams formed to curb illegal wildlife trade intercepted the suspects and recovered the substance from their possession.

The operation was carried out as part of the Centre's 'Operation Thunder-2026', a global initiative aimed at tackling wildlife and forest-related offences and illegal trade in fauna and flora.

Police identified the arrested persons as Maheshbhai Rathod, 46, of Lilalnagar in Khodiyarnagar, Ahmedabad; Kiran alias Bhurabhai Bharwad, 25, of Rohini village near the bus stand in Khambhat taluka of Anand district; and Karan Dininath God, 27, of Lilalnagar in Khodiyarnagar.

"The seized material was valued at approximately Rs 1,05,10,000," police said.

Officials said the three suspects were allegedly involved in the sale and transportation of ambergris.

The seized material has been taken into custody and further investigation is underway to establish the circumstances in which it was obtained, transported and allegedly intended for sale.

The Crime Branch said the action was part of efforts to protect terrestrial and marine wildlife and crack down on illegal wildlife trade and transportation.

The investigation will also examine the activities of the arrested persons and other circumstances surrounding the case, officials said.