Indian Coast Guard Intercepts 3 Vessels In Major Bust Of International Oil Smuggling Syndicate

The Indian Coast Guard has busted an international oil smuggling syndicate in a mid-sea operation off India’s west coast, intercepting three vessels around 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai.

The operation was carried out on February 5 and 6 after days of technology-enabled surveillance and intelligence analysis.

According to information released by the Coast Guard, the syndicate was involved in smuggling large quantities of low-cost oil and oil-based cargo sourced from conflict-ridden regions.

The oil was illegally transferred between ships in international waters and then routed onward, allowing the operators to evade customs duties and regulations imposed by coastal states.

The operation began after Coast Guard surveillance systems detected a motor tanker showing suspicious movement within the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone.

Officials said a digital investigation was launched immediately, using vessel tracking and data-pattern analysis.

This revealed two additional vessels moving towards the tanker, raising suspicion of an illicit ship-to-ship oil transfer at sea.

Specialist Coast Guard boarding teams intercepted the three vessels on February 5.

On 06 Feb 26, @IndiaCoastGuard busted an International oil-smuggling racket in a meticulously coordinated sea–air operation. The syndicate exploited mid-sea transfers in international waters to move cheap oil from conflict ridden regions to motor tankers, evading duties owed to… pic.twitter.com/erJ31U4xyH

— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) February 7, 2026

Detailed searches were carried out onboard, including checks of documents, examination of electronic data and navigation records, and questioning of crew members.

Officials said these steps helped establish the sequence of events and confirm the smuggling method.

Initial findings indicate that the vessels frequently changed their names and identification details to avoid detection by maritime law enforcement agencies.

Investigators have also found that the operation was coordinated through a network of handlers based in multiple countries, with the vessel owners located outside India.

The vessels have been apprehended and are likely to be escorted to Mumbai, where they will be handed over to Indian Customs and other law enforcement agencies for further investigation and legal action.

The Coast Guard said the operation highlights the growing use of technology in maritime surveillance and enforcement.

References: News18, hindustantimes

Source: Maritime Shipping News