SANGUEM
In a major seizure, about 5.70 kilos of ambergris (whale vomit), a rare and highly prized waxy substance valued at about Rs 10 crore, was confiscated by Sanguem police at Dabamol, a remote area in Uguem village of Sanguem taluka.
Three individuals have been arrested in this connection.
A Sanguem police led by PI Jeetendra Naik, initiated the action based on a tip-off and intercepted a private vehicle at Dabamol on Thursday night. Upon investigation, the whale vomit was discovered and seized by the police team.
Three individuals Sainath Shet (50) from Ponda, Ratnakar Karapurkar (55) from Mormugao and Yogesh Redkar (45) from Sindhudurg were arrested in connection with the incident and were presented before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) at Sanguem, and were remanded to four days in police custody.
Ambergris, which is produced by the sperm whale, is highly valuable due to its rarity and use in perfumery. It is known as "floating gold" because it floats on the surface of the ocean and can be found washed ashore.
The sperm whale is a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act, and the trade in ambergris is banned in India due to concerns about whale conservation.
Sanguem Police are currently conducting an investigation to ascertain the source of the ambergris and the means by which it was transported to Sanguem. The police are also actively probing to determine if this is part of a larger, more widespread illegal operation.
SANGUEM ABUZZ
Vomit usually does not attract much attention, but the seizure of ambergris (whale vomit) valued at about Rs 10 crore from a remote ward in Uguem village caused a buzz in Sanguem.
People were left wondering and speculating as to how the whale vomit, a rare and prized marine substance commonly used in the perfume industry, had ended up in Dabamol ward.
Whales are typically found in the open sea and the nearest coastline is approximately 30 kms from Dabamol, raising questions regarding the nature of a transaction involving whale vomit in a remote and interior part of the State.
Dabamol is home to the Sanguem Industrial Estate, and the seizure took place in close proximity to this industrial area. This has fuelled suspicion among the villagers and they have demanded a thorough investigation into the matter.
