India’s Coast Guard says it has intercepted vessels allegedly linked to an international oil smuggling network in a mid-sea operation about 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai, exposing a suspected cross-border syndicate and its methods.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Saturday said it had busted an international oil smuggling racket by apprehending a set of vessels linked to it during an operation roughly 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai.

"Three vessels were intercepted by ICG ships, about 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai, on February 5, and through sustained rummaging, corroboration of electronic data onboard the suspect vessels and verification of documents and interrogation of crew, the ICG's specialist boarding team established the chain of incidents and the modus operandi of the criminals," the Coast Guard said.

Alleged mid-sea oil transfer network

According to the ICG, the vessels had developed a method to smuggle large volumes of low-cost oil and oil-based cargo from the "conflict-ridden countries and profit by mid-sea transfer to motor tankers in international waters".

The maritime force said the vessels frequently changed identities to evade enforcement action by coastal states, with initial investigations indicating that the vessel owners are based abroad.

Authorities added that the syndicate consist of handlers operating across several countries, coordinating sales and transfers between seagoing vessels.

Surveillance-led operation

The Coast Guard said its "tech-inclusive systems" first detected a motor tanker carrying out "suspicious activity" within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, triggering a digital investigation.

"The ICG 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," the statement said.

"On February 5, ICG specialist teams boarded the vessels and confirmed the accuracy of the digital evidence, leading to the apprehension of the vessels," it said.

Maritime security claim and next steps

The ICG described the action as a "daring mid-sea operation", enabled by digital surveillance and an expanding maritime presence, saying it reinforces India as a "net provider of maritime safety and enforcer of the international rules-based order".

The vessels are likely to be escorted to Mumbai for further investigation and handed over to Indian Customs and other law enforcement agencies for further action, the Coast Guard said.