In a high-value seizure, Dapoli customs division confiscated more than 4 kilograms of Ambergris, commonly known as &lsquo;whale vomit&rsquo;,&nbsp; valued at over ₹5 crore. The material was recovered on August 12 from the Goa fort near Harnai beach in Ratnagiri&rsquo;s Dapoli village.
Ambergris is a waxy substance produced in the digestive tract of sperm whales and is considered one of the most expensive natural resources due to its use in the global perfume industry as a fragrance enhancer. Its trade, however, is prohibited under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, since it is classified as a Schedule I animal article.
Acting on a tip-off, customs officers reached the Goa fort location and discovered a jelly-like material suspected to be ambergris. Samples were sent for chemical analysis and later handed over to the wildlife department for safekeeping.
Marine experts highlight the rarity of such finds. &ldquo;There have been no sightings of sperm whales for quite a while on the Maharashtra coast,&rdquo; said Mahi Manakeshwar, a marine biologist at the Coastal Conservation Foundation. &ldquo;Sperm whales are deep-sea animals and when ambergris is expelled, it drifts far across the ocean before occasionally washing up onshore.&rdquo;
Explaining how it forms, scientists say ambergris develops inside whales when they ingest indigestible items like squid beaks. The substance eventually gets expelled and floats across seas, sometimes reaching coasts depending on ocean currents.
Over the last five years, only two or three cases of free-floating ambergris have been reported across Indian shores, making this seizure especially significant. Fishermen, who are usually the first to identify ambergris due to their experience, often play a crucial role in alerting authorities.

Customs seize rare 4kg Ambergris from Dapoli beach fort, handed to wildlife department

₹5 crore Ambergris haul in Dapoli

Customs seize rare 4kg Ambergris from Dapoli beach fort, handed to wildlife department

August 19, 2025 | 24:29 IST