Beed, Maharashtra – Police have arrested two persons and seized around 1.5 kg of ambergris, a rare and valuable substance, worth nearly ₹1.5 crore from their possession.
Acting on a tip-off, a team led by Police Inspector Bangar laid a trap near a hotel at Charhata Fata on the outskirts of Beed. The two accused — identified as Shailendra Prabhakar Shinde and Vikas Bhimrao Mule — were caught while attempting to sell the contraband.
Ambergris, often called “floating gold,” is a waxy material formed in the digestive system of sperm whales. It is highly prized in the perfume industry and is also used in traditional medicines. However, trading or possessing ambergris is illegal under the Wildlife Protection Act in India.
The seized material has been handed over to the Forest Department for testing, and further investigation is underway to uncover the source and network involved in the smuggling.
Police have urged the public to report any suspicious activities related to wildlife products to help curb such illegal trade.
