Kerala man held with banned whale vomit

The police have arrested a Kerala native, Subin Mohammad, and recovered 40 gm of prohibited ambergris, also known as whale vomit or floating gold, from his possession in Kharar today.

Ambergris is a waxy substance found in the intestines of sperm whales, and used in making perfumes and medicines. Its rarity and desirability in the grey market makes it a highly expensive substance.

The police said the suspect, possibly a hunter, was coming from Amritsar on his way back to Kerala and stayed at Kharar in search of a prospective buyer.

On the statement of Kharar veterinary officer Sahil Jaggi, a case under the Wildlife Protection Act has been registered at the City Kharar police station. The suspect was produced in front of a Duty Magistrate, who sent him to three-day police custody.