The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has busted an international oil cargo smuggling syndicate following a mid-sea operation in international waters, intercepting three vessels involved in illicit trade, the maritime security agency said on Saturday.
The operation was conducted on February 5–6, around 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai, based on intelligence generated through technology-enabled maritime surveillance systems.
According to an official release, the syndicate had developed a sophisticated modus operandi to smuggle large quantities of low-cost oil and oil-based cargo sourced from conflict-affected regions. The cargo was transferred mid-sea to motor tankers in international waters, enabling the operators to evade customs duties payable to coastal States, including India.
Investigations revealed that the racket was operated through a network of handlers based in multiple countries, coordinating the sale and ship-to-ship transfer of oil cargo. The vessels involved allegedly changed their identities frequently to evade detection by law enforcement agencies.
The Coast Guard first detected a motor tanker engaged in suspicious activity within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), prompting a detailed digital investigation into the vessel’s movement patterns. Subsequent data analysis indicated two additional vessels closing in on the tanker, raising suspicion of an illicit ship-to-ship transfer in progress.
Specialist boarding teams from the ICG boarded all three vessels on February 5. Following sustained rummaging operations, verification of documents, corroboration of onboard electronic data, and interrogation of crew members, the Coast Guard confirmed the criminal modus operandi and established the chain of events.
The vessels have been apprehended and are likely to be escorted to Mumbai for further investigation. They will be handed over to Indian Customs and other law enforcement agencies for legal action, the release said. Officials added that the vessel owners are based in foreign countries.
The Coast Guard said the operation, driven by digital surveillance and strengthened maritime presence, underscored India’s role as a net provider of maritime security and a key enforcer of the international rules-based order at sea.
