Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 7: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Saturday said it had apprehended a set of vessels linked to an international oil smuggling syndicate in a "daring mid-sea operation," about 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai.

In a statement, the ICG said the racket involved smuggling large volumes of cheap oil and oil-based cargo from “conflict-ridden countries” and transferring it mid-sea to motor tankers in international waters to evade duties.

“Three vessels were intercepted on February 5, and through thorough rummaging, verification of electronic data, documents, and crew interrogation, our specialist boarding team established the chain of incidents and modus operandi of the criminals,” the ICG said.

The vessels were found to frequently change identities to evade law enforcement, with initial investigations suggesting the owners are based abroad. The syndicate operates as a network of handlers in multiple countries, coordinating the sale and transfer of oil at sea.

The ICG explained that its “tech-inclusive systems” detected a motor tanker conducting suspicious activity in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone, leading to a digital investigation that identified two additional suspect vessels involved in illicit oil transfers.

“The specialist teams confirmed the digital evidence and apprehended the vessels. This operation reinforces India’s role as a provider of maritime security and guardian of the rules-based international order,” the ICG said.

The vessels are expected to be escorted to Mumbai for further investigation and handed over to Indian Customs and law enforcement agencies for appropriate action.