25 April,2026 09:28 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
Whale ambergris (left). Adnan Khan (right)
The Malvani Police have arrested 24-year-old Adnan Khan after allegedly recovering 1.15 kg of sperm whale ambergris, a substance highly sought after in the illegal wildlife trade.
According to police officials, Khan was intercepted during a patrol. When officers attempted to question him, an argument reportedly broke out, during which Khan allegedly assaulted a police constable and tried to flee. Police gave chase, and Khan is said to have jumped into a nearby creek in an attempt to escape. He was eventually apprehended, and further investigation is underway.
The sale of ambergris is prohibited in India, as the endangered sperm whale is protected under wildlife laws.
Ambergris, a dull grey, waxy substance formed in the intestines of the sperm whale, is highly sought after worldwide. It is used as a fixative in perfumes to stabilise scent and make it last longer, and in the manufacture of aphrodisiac products. This has often led wildlife conservationists to call for a ban on perfumes that use it. It is often referred to as "treasure of the sea" or "floating gold."
The endangered sperm whale consumes cephalopods such as squid and cuttlefish in large quantities. The indigestible parts are usually expelled from the body as intestinal matter. Ambergris can range in colour from white to black, with lighter shades fetching higher prices. While its sale is illegal in India, it is legally traded in countries like the UK.
The sperm whale, or cachalot, is the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator. It is the only living member of the genus Physeter and one of three extant species in the sperm whale family, alongside the pygmy sperm whale and dwarf sperm whale of the genus Kogia. It typically weighs between 14,000 kg and 41,000 kg.
In India, the species is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
