ICG busts international oil cargo smuggling syndicate

By Raju Vernekar

Mumbai: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in a daring mid sea operation with an intricate sea-air network, busted an international oil smuggling racket on February 06 which involved the vessels engaged in smuggling large volumes of cheap oil and oil based cargo from conflict ridden countries and transferring it to motor tankers in International waters.

The syndicate comprised a network of handlers operating from various countries, coordinating the sale and transfer between sea going vessels. Three vessels were intercepted by ICG ships, about 100 nautical miles west off Mumbai on February 05, through sustained rummaging, corroboration of electronic data onboard the suspect vessels and verification of documents and interrogation of crew. The ICG specialist boarding team established the chain of incidents and the modus-operandi of the criminals.

 ICG tech-inclusive systems detected a Motor Tanker, conducting suspicious activity in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zones, prompting a digital investigation into the actions of the vessel. ICG further undertook data pattern analysis of other vessels closing in on the vessel, and identified two other vessels as possible suspects, involved in illicit transfer of oil based cargo at sea, evading significant duties owed to the coastal states, including India.

 On February 05, the ICG specialist teams boarded the vessels and confirmed the accuracy of the digital evidence, leading to the apprehension of the vessels. The vessels are likely to be escorted to Mumbai for further investigation & handing over to Indian Customs and law enforcement agencies for further actions. The vessels were found to frequently changing identity to evade law enforcement actions by coastal states. The vessel owners are based in other countries, as per initial investigations.

 The operation, initiated through digital surveillance and enforced through the ever-expanding maritime presence of the Indian Coast Guard, once again establishes India as a net provider of maritime safety and enforcer of the international rules based order.