Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has busted an international oil cargo smuggling syndicate through a meticulously coordinated sea-air operation, intercepting three vessels involved in illegal mid-sea transfer of oil off India’s west coast.
Officials said the operation was carried out on 06 February 2026 after ICG’s advanced surveillance systems detected suspicious movement of a motor tanker operating within the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). A digital investigation revealed that the tanker was allegedly engaged in illicit transfer of oil-based cargo sourced from conflict-ridden regions and moved through international waters to evade customs duties.
Further data pattern analysis by the Coast Guard identified two additional vessels converging on the tanker, strengthening suspicion of mid-sea cargo transfer. Acting on this intelligence, ICG ships intercepted the three vessels approximately 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai on 05 February 2026.
Specialist boarding teams conducted extensive rummaging, corroborated electronic data onboard the suspect vessels, verified shipping documents, and interrogated crew members. These efforts established the chain of events and confirmed the modus operandi of the smuggling syndicate.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate operated through a network of handlers based in multiple countries, coordinating illegal sale and transfer of oil cargo between sea-going vessels. The ships were found to frequently change identities to evade detection by coastal law enforcement agencies. Preliminary inquiries indicate that the vessel owners are foreign nationals.
The apprehended vessels are likely to be escorted to Mumbai for further investigation and handed over to Indian Customs and other law enforcement agencies for appropriate legal action.
The operation, initiated through digital surveillance and reinforced by the Indian Coast Guard’s expanding maritime presence, once again underscores India’s role as a net provider of maritime security and an enforcer of the international rules-based order at sea.
