Indian Coast Guard Cracks Down on International Oil Smuggling Syndicate in High-Seas Operation

New Delhi, February 7, 2026 – The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has dismantled a sophisticated international oil smuggling racket through a coordinated sea-air operation conducted on February 5-6, marking a significant victory in maritime security.

In a press release issued by the Ministry of Defence, details emerged of the operation that led to the interception of three suspect vessels about 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai on February 5. The vessels were involved in illicit ship-to-ship transfers of large volumes of oil and oil-based cargo sourced from conflict zones, evading duties and regulations.

The racket’s modus operandi involved transporting cheap oil via seagoing vessels and offloading it mid-sea to motor tankers in international waters, coordinated by handlers across multiple countries. ICG’s specialist boarding teams conducted thorough rummaging, analyzed electronic data, verified documents, and interrogated crew members to uncover the full chain of criminal activities.

The operation began after ICG’s advanced surveillance systems detected suspicious activity by a motor tanker in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Digital investigations and vessel movement analysis revealed two additional converging ships, leading to their swift apprehension.

Preliminary probes indicate the vessels frequently altered identities to dodge detection, with owners based abroad. The seized vessels are being escorted to Mumbai for further scrutiny by Indian Customs and other agencies.

“This operation… underscores India’s role as a net security provider in the maritime domain and a steadfast enforcer of the international rules-based order at sea,” the release stated.

The bust highlights the ICG’s growing capabilities in combating transnational maritime crimes, contributing to regional stability.