Alibaug Police Arrest Fisherman With Rs 4 Crore Ambergris at Chalmala Jetty

Alibaug police arrested a 33-year-old fisherman near the jetty at Chalmala in Thal village, Raigad, after intercepting him with 4 kg of ambergris valued at Rs 4 crore. The accused, identified as Rahul Pandharinath Hatani, was apprehended early Monday during a coastal security patrol.

The arrest took place on July 27 at approximately 1:30 am. A patrolling team, comprising local police officers and home guards, spotted Hatani hovering suspiciously on his scooter near the Chalmala jetty. When intercepted and questioned by the police, Hatani offered evasive answers, leading officers to search his vehicle.

Upon inspecting the scooter's dickey, police discovered a cloth bag containing 4 kg of ambergris, also known as whale vomit. Hatani, a resident of the Chalmala locality in Thal village, was subsequently taken into custody by the Alibaug police team.

According to Pravin Pande, senior inspector of Alibaug police station, the patrol was part of heightened surveillance ordered by Raigad Superintendent of Police Anchal Dalal. Special patrolling units were assigned to jetties and landing points across the coastline from the perspective of coastal security.

During interrogation, Hatani claimed that he had discovered the ambergris approximately four months ago after noticing dogs eating material washed ashore on Chalmala beach. He told police that he scared away the dogs, collected the whale vomit, wrapped it in a cloth, and kept it in his scooter dickey while trying unsuccessfully to find a buyer.