Suspected ambergris worth Rs 86 lakh seized

Vadodara: The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Panchmahal district police seized suspected ambergris worth Rs 86 lakh from two persons on the Ahmedabad-Godhra highway near Bhamaiya village.

This is the second major seizure of the material by the unit in about two months.

SOG sleuths got a tip off regarding the movement of the material while they were on a routine patrol duty. A van matching the description given by the informer was stopped and checked by the officials on Sunday night. They found 860gm of suspected ambergris in the van.

Two persons from Vavdi Khurd village in Godhra taluka identified as Bharat Vagadiya and Vipul Ninama were present in the van. They were detained by the police and the suspected ambergris was seized. Forensic and forest officials were informed regarding the seizure. Samples of the material were collected for analysis.

Earlier on March 10, ambergris worth Rs 76.8lakh was seized by Panchmahal SOG and one person was held in connection with the seizure. During a watch kept on Bamroli road, Suresh Bariya, a resident of Dholi village near Godhra, was found in possession of 768gm ambergris in the under-seat storage of the scooter.

Bariya admitted that he was trying to sell the ambergris in Godhra. He claimed that he had obtained it from Vadodara and was to get a commission if he could sell it.