Indian Coast Guard Apprehends Fishing Boat for Diesel Smuggling Off Mumbai
An FIR was registered against the seven, who hail from Maharashtra. The boarding team confiscated all relevant operational documents and six mobile phones for further inquiry. 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 ICG, Indian Navy , State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) and State Police. The Yellow Gate police have registered an FIR under the Smuggling Act.
Coast Guard handed over seven people, the seized boat and smuggled materials to Yellow Gate police station on Tuesday morning. The arrested seven will be produced before the court on Wednesday.
During a preliminary investigation, the boat’s master confessed to receiving about 4,000 litres of illicit diesel at sea, Coast Guard said. The crew had also allegedly discharged about 500 litres overboard during the chase in an attempt to destroy evidence. A specialised boarding party searched the vessel after the chase. A specialised boarding party searched the boat. During the preliminary investigation, the vessel’s master confessed to receiving the illicit diesel at sea.
Mumbai: The Indian Coast Guard apprehended the Maharashtra fishing boat Haridwar Krupa off Mumbai on Monday on suspicion of illicit mid-sea diesel smuggling after it allegedly tried to evade interception near Prongs Lighthouse.