CCB seizes 80 kg of sperm whale ambergris worth ₹80 crore
The Hindu
Gang of five was arrested attempting to smuggle them
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) police on Tuesday arrested a gang of five who were allegedly attempting to smuggle sperm whale ambergris worth ₹80 crore. Ambergris, produced in the digestive system of sperm whales and often called floating gold, is extremely rare, commanding exorbitant rates as it is used in the fragrance industry. A kilogram of the substance can sell for as much as ₹1 crore in the international market. The police team seized 80 kg of ambergris from the accused, who have been identified as Majeeb Pasha, 48, Mohammed Munna, 45, Gulab Chand, 40, and Santosh, 31, all residents of Bengaluru. The fifth gang member, Jagannathachar, 52, is a resident of Raichur. “They procured the ambergris from their sources in Mangaluru and were trying to sell it to their customers in the city,” said a senior police officer. Along with the ambergris, the CCB team also seized two antique items from the gang: a steam fan with the label of East India Company dating back to 1818 and two red mercury copper cups also from the East India Company.
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