In a swift and coordinated maritime operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) apprehended an Indian Fishing Boat (IFB) Haridwar Krupa, suspected of engaging in illicit mid-sea diesel smuggling off the Mumbai coast, a release said.
The apprehended vessel, along with its crew and the confiscated evidence, was subsequently escorted to Mumbai Harbour, where a comprehensive joint investigation has been initiated involving the ICG, Indian Navy, State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) and the State Police., it said.
During the preliminary investigation, the master of the vessel confessed to receiving approximately 4,000 liters of illicit diesel at sea. Furthermore, it was revealed that the crew had discharged around 500 liters of the contraband overboard during the chase in a desperate bid to destroy evidence. Following the tactical interception, a specialized boarding party carried out extensive rummaging of the boat. All relevant operational documents and six mobile phones were confiscated by the boarding team to aid further inquiry, the release added.
