Indian Coast Guard Foils international oil smuggling racket in mid sea operation

The Indian Coast Guard busted an international smuggling racket of cheap oil operating through a complex sea-air route on Friday.

According to an official statement, the syndicate smuggled large volumes of cheap oil and oil-based cargo from conflict-affected countries, transferring it mid-sea to motor tankers in international waters to evade duties.

The network involved handlers from multiple countries who coordinated the sale and transfer of cargo between vessels. Acting on digital surveillance detecting suspicious tanker activity within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, the ICG launched a probe, analyzing vessel movement patterns and electronic data. This led to the identification of three suspect vessels, intercepted about 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai on Thursday.

ICG specialist teams boarded the vessels, verified documents, interrogated crews, and confirmed the modus operandi of the smuggling operation. Investigations revealed that the vessels frequently changed identities to evade authorities, and the vessel owners were based abroad.

The seized vessels are expected to be escorted to Mumbai for further investigation and handed over to Indian Customs and law enforcement agencies. The operation underscores the ICG’s digital capabilities and maritime presence, reinforcing India’s role as a net provider of maritime security and an enforcer of the international rules-based order.