Kochi: Police in Kerala have seized ambergris or whale vomit, worth about Rs 2.5 crore in the international market, and arrested two people in connection with its smuggling, officials said on Wednesday.

Acting on a tip-off, officers arrested a man from Mattancherry, who was allegedly trying to sell 35 grams of the substance.

The suspect, identified as Suhail, allegedly attacked police when they tried to detain him, but was caught after a brief struggle, police said here.

Based on information from the suspect, police later recovered another kilogram of ambergris from a man named Suhail, a native of Kalpeni in Lakshadweep, early on Wednesday.

The seizure was made in the Thoppumpady area of the Kochi city, they said.

Ambergris, a rare substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales, is highly valued for use in perfumes. Its trade is banned in India under the Wildlife Protection Act.