Whale Vomit Worth Rs 75 Lakh, Chinkara Horns Seized in Pune; Two Arrested
Pune, 29th November 2024: Acting on a tip-off about illegal trade in wildlife products, the forest department conducted a raid in Bhilarwadi, Haveli taluka, Pune, and seized smuggled whale vomit (ambergris) worth ₹75 lakh and chinkara horns valued at ₹25,000. Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the case.
The raid took place at Nisarga Hotel, where officials apprehended the suspects, identified as Hemrao Sikander Mehta, a resident of Balajinagar, and Ritik Navnath Lekurwale, a resident of Thergaon. Both suspects were presented before the court, which has remanded them to custody until December 2, 2024.
The operation was led by Assistant Conservator of Forests Mangesh Tathe, with Forest Area Officer Suresh Varak coordinating the field action. The team also included forest circle officers Vishal Yadav, Pramod Raskar, and Vaibhav Babar, along with forest guards Sambhaji Gaikwad, Anil Rathod, Rajkumar Jadhav, Shriram Jagtap, Omkar Gund, and Vinayak Tathe.
Ambergris, often referred to as “floating gold,” is a highly valued substance used in the perfume industry, while the possession or trade of chinkara horns is a serious violation under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The forest department has intensified its vigilance to curb illegal wildlife trade in the region.
