The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has apprehended an Indian fishing boat suspected of being involved in mid-sea diesel smuggling off the Mumbai coast, an official statement said.
The vessel, identified as Haridwar Krupa, was intercepted near Prongs Lighthouse after it allegedly ignored warnings from Coast Guard personnel and attempted to evade interception, it said.
The operation was carried out on October 12 following surveillance of suspicious maritime movements in the area.
Boat allegedly received 4,000 litres of diesel
According to the Indian Coast Guard, its ships were directed to maintain a close watch near Prongs Lighthouse after receiving information about suspicious activity at sea.
During the patrol, Coast Guard personnel spotted the fishing boat operating near a merchant vessel. When challenged over the VHF maritime communication channel, the boat allegedly failed to respond, ignored repeated warnings and attempted to flee, the ICG said.
A Coast Guard ship pursued the vessel and eventually intercepted it.
During a subsequent search, the boat's master allegedly admitted to receiving around 4,000 litres of diesel at sea, according to the Coast Guard's preliminary investigation, the statement said.
Crew dumped diesel during chase
It said that the preliminary investigation also indicated that the crew had allegedly discharged around 500 litres of diesel into the sea during the pursuit in an attempt to destroy evidence.
The boarding team confiscated operational documents and six mobile phones for further investigation.
The Indian Coast Guard has not disclosed further details about the suspected source of the diesel or the merchant vessel's role in the alleged operation. However, further probe into the matter is underway.
Joint investigation launched
The fishing boat, its crew and the seized evidence were escorted to Mumbai Harbour.
A joint investigation involving the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) and Maharashtra
Police has been initiated to establish the circumstances of the incident and determine the possible involvement of others.
"The vessel, along with confiscated documents and electronics, has been escorted to Mumbai harbour for a comprehensive joint investigation by the ICG, Indian Navy, State Intelligence Bureau (SIB), Fisheries, Customs, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and State Police," the ICG said.
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