M’luru: Six arrested while selling ambergris worth Rs 3.48 Crore

Team Udayavani, Feb 8, 2022, 5:39 PM IST

Mangaluru: Six persons were arrested by Konaje Police while trying to sell ambergris on Tuesday, February 8.

The arrested were identified as Prashanth (24)  of Kundapur, Sathyaraj (32) of Bengaluru, Rohit (27) of Thenkapadav, Rajesh (37) of Adoor, Virupaksha (37) of Thenkayedapadav and Nagraj (31) of Kaup. Ambergris weighing 3.480 kg worth Rs 3.48 crore was confiscated from them, police said.

Police said that the six suspects had told that the ambergris was procured from Sedhu Manikya, a fisherman hailing from Tamil Nadu.

Ambergris is a valuable and rare substance that is produced by sperm whales when their bile ducts in the gastrointestinal tract make secretions to ease the passage of sharp objects. It is highly prized for its use in the perfume industry and traditional medicine. It is illegal to trade the substance in India.