The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has apprehended a fishing boat along with its seven crew members on suspicion of diesel smuggling off the Mumbai coast after the vessel allegedly ignored repeated warnings and attempted to escape during a maritime surveillance operation, officials said on Tuesday.
The operation, conducted in the early hours of Monday, led to the interception of the Indian fishing boat Haridwar Krupa near Prongs Lighthouse after Coast Guard ships detected suspicious movements close to a merchant vessel.
During preliminary questioning, the boat's master allegedly admitted to receiving approximately 4,000 litres of illicit diesel at sea. Officials also said the crew had discharged around 500 litres of diesel into the water during the pursuit in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence.
Suspicious movement detected
According to the Coast Guard, its ships had been directed to maintain heightened surveillance near Prongs Lighthouse following intelligence inputs about suspicious maritime activities.
During patrol operations, Coast Guard personnel spotted the fishing boat operating near a merchant vessel, raising suspicions about a possible unauthorised transfer of fuel.
The Coast Guard attempted to establish communication with the vessel through the Very High Frequency (VHF) maritime radio channel. However, the boat allegedly failed to respond and ignored repeated warnings.
Officials said the vessel subsequently attempted evasive manoeuvres, prompting a Coast Guard ship to initiate a pursuit.
The fleeing boat was eventually intercepted and brought under the control of Coast Guard personnel.
Diesel dumped during chase
Following the interception, a specialised boarding team conducted an extensive search of the fishing boat to establish the nature of its activities and examine possible evidence of fuel smuggling.
During preliminary questioning, the vessel's master allegedly disclosed that the crew had received approximately 4,000 litres of diesel through an unauthorised transaction at sea.
Investigators also learnt that around 500 litres of the suspected contraband had been discharged overboard while the boat was being pursued.
The Coast Guard said the fuel was allegedly dumped to prevent its recovery and destroy evidence of the suspected smuggling operation.
Officials have not disclosed the identity of the merchant vessel near which the fishing boat was spotted or established the source of the diesel consignment.
Documents, phones seized
The boarding team confiscated operational documents and six mobile phones from the fishing vessel to assist the investigation.
The seized materials are expected to be examined to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged fuel transfer and identify others who may have been involved.
Following the operation, the fishing boat, its seven crew members and the confiscated evidence were escorted to Mumbai Harbour for further investigation.
A joint inquiry has been initiated involving the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, State Intelligence Bureau and police.
Investigators are examining the alleged mid-sea transaction and the circumstances in which the crew attempted to evade interception.
Coastal surveillance strengthened
The Coast Guard said the operation demonstrated its surveillance and interception capabilities in preventing unauthorised maritime activities along India's western coastline.
Mid-sea fuel smuggling typically involves unauthorised transfers between vessels, allowing operators to move petroleum products outside established commercial and regulatory channels.
The Coast Guard regularly coordinates with Customs and other enforcement agencies to detect such activities and prevent the movement of contraband through maritime routes.
In February 2026, the agency intercepted three vessels approximately 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai during an operation targeting an alleged international oil-smuggling network.
The latest interception adds to the Coast Guard's operations against suspected fuel smuggling off the Maharashtra coast. The investigation into the Haridwar Krupa and its crew is continuing.