The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has busted an international smuggling racket involving large-scale movement of cheap oil through a complex sea-air network, officials said on Friday.

According to an official statement, the syndicate sourced low-cost oil and oil-based cargo from conflict-affected regions and transferred it mid-sea to motor tankers in international waters to avoid customs duties and regulatory scrutiny. The operation involved handlers from multiple countries coordinating the sale, routing and transfer of cargo between vessels.

The breakthrough came after digital surveillance systems detected suspicious tanker activity within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Investigators analysed vessel movement patterns and electronic tracking data, leading to the identification of three suspect ships. These vessels were intercepted approximately 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai on Thursday.

Specialist boarding teams from the Coast Guard inspected documents, questioned crew members and verified operational details, confirming the smuggling modus operandi. Preliminary findings indicated that the vessels frequently changed identities to evade enforcement agencies, while ownership links traced back to entities based outside India.

The seized ships are expected to be escorted to Mumbai for detailed investigation and subsequently handed over to Indian Customs and other law-enforcement authorities for further legal action.

Officials said the successful interdiction highlights the Indian Coast Guard’s growing digital surveillance capability and sustained maritime presence, reinforcing India’s role as a provider of regional maritime security and a supporter of the international rules-based order.