Two Held with Suspected Whale Ambergris

Quick Summary

• Kochi City police arrested two individuals, Jineesh (39) and Saumithran (38), from Puthuvype in Ernakulam for possession of suspected whale ambergris.
• They were caught with 1.20 kilograms of the substance, valued at approximately ₹2 crore in the international market.
• The duo was apprehended while attempting to sell the ambergris after finalising a deal.
• The seized substance has been handed over to the Erumeli Forest officer for verification and further legal action.
• This is not an isolated incident; last week, police seized over 1 kg of suspected ambergris in West Kochi, arresting two individuals from Fort Kochi and Lakshadweep.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The repeated cases of illegal trade in whale ambergris highlight ongoing wildlife protection challenges despite stringent prohibitions under Indian law. Ambergris is a valuable commodity on the international market owing to its use in luxury perfumes and other products,wich may incentivize such unlawful activities despite severe penalties. The authorities’ vigilance underscores thier commitment to enforcing wildlife conservation laws but also points to possible vulnerabilities within local ecosystems or enforcement mechanisms being exploited by traffickers.

increased resources and awareness campaigns addressing both public understanding of protected species and stricter monitoring on trade coudl help curb such incidents effectively over time without disrupting community livelihoods or eroding trust between enforcement agencies and citizens.

Read more at: August 16,2025