Kolhapur local crime branch seizes ambergris worth Rs 3.4 crore; 3 nabbed

KOLHAPUR: The local crime branch of the Kolhapur police has seized 3 kg 413 gram of ambergris, also known as whale vomit, worth Rs 3.41 crore from three people.
Police have arrested the three accused identified as Pradip Sham Bhalerao (36), a resident of Chembur in Mumbai, Shakil Mohan Sheikh (34) resident of Yerawada in Pune, and Amir Haju Pathan (32) resident of Vishrantwadi, Pune. Ambergris is largely used to make perfumes, beauty products and medicines in the international market.
Sanjay Gorle, police Inspector of the local crime branch, said, “We came to know through our sources that few people will be arriving at the service road in Sarnobatwadi adjacent to Pune-Bangalore National Highway for illegal trade of ambergris. Accordingly, our police personnel along with forest department officials laid a trap and inspected a four-wheeler only to find ambergris being smuggled by three people.” A car, mobile phones and ambergris all worth Rs 3.44 crore were seized. This action was carried out under the guidance of superintendent of Kolhapur police Shailesh Balakawade, additional SP Tirupati Kakade, and police inspector Sanjay Gorle.