Coast Guard seizes fishing boat for suspected diesel smuggling off Mumbai coast

The Indian Coast Guard apprehended a fishing vessel, Haridwar Krupa, and its seven crew members off the Mumbai coast on Tuesday (October 13, 2026), officials announced. The operation took place early Monday (October 12, 2026). During the initial investigation, the boat's captain confessed to receiving about 4,000 liters of illegal diesel at sea.

It was also discovered that the crew had discharged around 500 liters of the contraband into the ocean during the chase to destroy evidence, the Coast Guard reported. The ICG quickly and jointly intercepted the suspected Indian Fishing Boat (IFB) Haridwar Krupa, operating near Prongs Lighthouse in the vicinity of a merchant vessel.

The IFB ignored repeated warnings, failed to respond to the VHF maritime channel, and attempted to evade capture. After a hot pursuit, the Coast Guard successfully apprehended the fleeing vessel. A boarding team conducted a thorough search of the boat, collecting evidence, confiscating operational documents, and seizing six mobile phones for further investigation.

The seized boat, crew, and evidence were then transferred to Mumbai Harbour for a joint investigation involving the ICG, Indian Navy, State Intelligence Bureau, and police. The Coast Guard emphasized the importance of its heightened vigilance and swift response in preventing unauthorized and illegal activities along the western coast.