Karnataka: 5 Held For Smuggling 80 Kg Of Sperm Whales' Ambergris Worth Whopping Rs 80 Crore

Ambergris is a solid and waxy substance found often in the intestines of sperm whales, is extremely rare and can be sold for an exorbitant price

Sperm Whales' ambergris

Bengaluru: A special inquiry wing of the Central Crime Branch has seized 80 Kg of ambergris of sperm whales and arrested five people who were trying to smuggle it in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Ambergris, which is a solid and waxy substance found often in the intestines of sperm whales, is extremely rare and can be sold for an exorbitant price in the international market. The 80Kgs of ambergris seized by the Bengaluru police could be worth of whopping Rs 80 Crore.

According to the report in The Hindu, the accused have been recognised as Majeeb Pasha, Mohammed Munna, Gulab Chand, and Santosh, Jagannathachar. Of the five, four are the residents of Bengaluru while Jagannathachar is from Karnataka's Raichur.

The Bengaluru City Commissioner has announced a Rs 1 Lakh cash reward for the special inquiry team in the CCB for the tremendous efforts put in.

Ambergris is a solid waxy substance originating in the intestine of the sperm whale and is highly-priced as a fixative.

A reward of ₹1 lakh has been announced to the team for their remarkable efforts! 2/2

— Kamal Pant, IPS (@CPBlr) August 10, 2021

This is not the first time a gang smuggling ambergris was caught as the senior police raised severe concern over the smugglings happening. Earlier in June this year, the Bengaluru police have arrested four people for smuggling and seized 6.7 kg ambergris which is worth Rs eight crores. As sperm whales come under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, it is illegal to possess or trade any byproduct of the animal in the country, CCB said according to The Hindu.