The Indian Coast Guard conducted a large-scale operation involving air and naval forces, intercepting three oil tankers, disrupting the activities of an international oil smuggling syndicate.
Points of attention
- Indian Coast Guard successfully conducted a large-scale operation to seize three suspected oil tankers from an international smuggling syndicate.
- The crime syndicate used maritime transport to move cheap oil from conflict regions, evading customs duties and exploiting international waters for their illegal activities.
India seizes ships carrying smuggled oil
The Indian Coast Guard reported this on the social network X.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) intercepted three suspicious vessels about 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai.
It is specified that this happened on February 6. Investigative actions revealed the presence of a circle of individuals coordinating an international oil smuggling scheme.
According to the ICG, the crime syndicate “uses maritime transport in international waters to move cheap oil from conflict-affected regions to be loaded onto tankers, evading payment of duties to coastal states.”
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
The ships, known for frequently changing names and flags, have been brought to Mumbai for further legal action, reinforcing India's role in maritime security and defending the rules-based international order.
