New Delhi: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has busted an international oil smuggling racket through a coordinated sea-air operation conducted on 6 February 2026. The network allegedly smuggled large volumes of cheap oil and oil-based cargo from conflict-hit regions and profited through mid-sea transfers to motor tankers in international waters. The syndicate operated via handlers based in multiple countries who coordinated sales and cargo transfers between sea-going vessels.
On 5 February, ICG ships intercepted three vessels nearly 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai. Detailed rummaging, verification of documents, interrogation of crew members and corroboration of onboard electronic data enabled specialist boarding teams to establish the chain of events and the criminals’ modus operandi.
Using tech-enabled surveillance systems, the Coast Guard initially detected a motor tanker carrying out suspicious activity within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Subsequent digital investigation and data-pattern analysis identified two additional vessels suspected of illicit oil transfers at sea, allegedly evading substantial duties payable to coastal states, including India.
Specialist teams boarded the vessels and confirmed the digital evidence, leading to their apprehension. The ships are likely to be escorted to Mumbai for further investigation and handed over to Customs and other law-enforcement agencies. Preliminary findings indicate that the vessels frequently changed identities to avoid detection and that their owners are based overseas. The operation underscores India’s growing maritime presence and its role as a net provider of maritime safety and an enforcer of the rules-based international order.
