Ambergris worth ₹1.05 crore seized in Ahmedabad; 3 arrested under Operation Thunder-2026
Synopsis
Gujarat Police's Crime Branch busted an ambergris trafficking ring in Ahmedabad's Naroda area, seizing over a kilogram of the rare sperm-whale substance worth ₹1.05 crore and arresting three men. The operation is part of the Centre's global Operation Thunder-2026 wildlife crackdown — putting India's marine wildlife enforcement squarely in the spotlight.
Key Takeaways
Ahmedabad City Crime Branch arrested three persons on 23 September 2026 for illegal possession and transportation of ambergris.
1.051 kg of ambergris , valued at approximately ₹1.05 crore , was recovered from the accused in the Naroda area of Ahmedabad.
The arrested individuals are Maheshbhai Rathod (46) , Kiran alias Bhurabhai Bharwad (25) , and Karan Dininath God (27) .
The action was carried out under the Centre's Operation Thunder-2026 , a global initiative against illegal wildlife trade.
Ambergris, derived from sperm whales , is a protected substance under India's Wildlife Protection Act ; its unauthorised possession is a criminal offence.
Investigations are ongoing to uncover the full supply chain and intended buyers.
Gujarat Police's Ahmedabad City Crime Branch on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, arrested three persons and seized 1.051 kg of ambergris — a rare substance found in sperm whales — allegedly being transported for illegal sale in the Naroda area of Ahmedabad. The haul is valued at approximately ₹1.05 crore, according to police officials.
How the Seizure Unfolded
The Crime Branch received specific intelligence that three individuals were moving through the Naroda locality with ambergris — commonly referred to as whale vomit — with the intent to sell and transport it. Acting swiftly, Crime Branch personnel intercepted the suspects and recovered 1.051 kg of the substance from their possession.
The seized material was formally valued at ₹1,05,10,000, according to the police statement.
Who Was Arrested
The three arrested individuals have been identified as Maheshbhai Rathod, 46, a resident of Lilalnagar, Khodiyarnagar, Ahmedabad; Kiran alias Bhurabhai Bharwad, 25, a resident of Rohini village, Khambhat taluka, Anand district; and Karan Dininath God, 27, also a resident of Lilalnagar, Khodiyarnagar. All three were allegedly involved in the sale and transportation of the contraband material, officials said.
The Operation Thunder-2026 Connection
The action forms part of the Centre's Operation Thunder-2026, a coordinated global drive targeting wildlife and forest-related offences and the illegal trade in fauna and flora. The Ahmedabad City Crime Branch had constituted separate teams specifically to act against persons engaged in illegal wildlife trade and environmental harm under this operation.
Notably, ambergris is a strictly regulated substance under India's Wildlife Protection Act, as it is derived from sperm whales — a protected species. Possession, sale, or transportation of ambergris without authorisation is a criminal offence, making such busts particularly significant for marine wildlife enforcement.
Investigation Status and What Comes Next
The seized material has been taken into custody, and further investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding its possession, the transportation chain, and the intended buyers. Officials indicated the probe will extend to the broader network and activities of all three arrested persons.
This comes amid a wider intensification of wildlife crime enforcement across India in 2026, with law enforcement agencies coordinating closely under the Operation Thunder-2026 framework. Investigators are likely to probe whether the ambergris was sourced domestically or smuggled through coastal routes.
Point of View
But single seizures rarely dismantle supply chains; the real test is whether investigators trace the ambergris back to its coastal or maritime source and forward to prospective buyers. India's Wildlife Protection Act is robust on paper, but prosecution rates for high-value contraband like ambergris remain low. Unless enforcement agencies convert these interceptions into convictions and disrupt the commercial networks behind them, repeat offenders and new entrants will continue to view the risk as acceptable.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ambergris and why is it illegal to trade in India?
Ambergris is a waxy substance produced in the digestive tract of sperm whales and is highly prized in the perfume and pharmaceutical industries. In India, it is regulated under the Wildlife Protection Act because sperm whales are a protected species, making unauthorised possession, sale, or transportation a criminal offence.
How much ambergris was seized in the Ahmedabad operation?
Gujarat Police's Ahmedabad City Crime Branch seized 1.051 kg of ambergris from the three arrested individuals. The material was valued at approximately ₹1,05,10,000 (roughly ₹1.05 crore), according to police.
Who were the three persons arrested in the Ahmedabad ambergris case?
The arrested individuals are Maheshbhai Rathod (46) of Lilalnagar, Khodiyarnagar; Kiran alias Bhurabhai Bharwad (25) of Rohini village, Khambhat taluka, Anand district; and Karan Dininath God (27) of Lilalnagar, Khodiyarnagar — all in Gujarat. They were allegedly involved in the sale and transportation of ambergris.
What is Operation Thunder-2026?
Operation Thunder-2026 is a centrally coordinated global operation aimed at combating wildlife and forest-related offences, including illegal trade in fauna and flora. The Ahmedabad Crime Branch had formed dedicated teams to act against illegal wildlife traders as part of this operation.
What happens next in the ambergris case?
The seized material is in police custody and investigators are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding its possession, transportation route, and intended sale. The probe is expected to extend to the wider network connected to the three arrested persons.
