Yellow Gate police seize 11,000 litres of diesel from 2 boats, 2 held

During the searches, cops found 1,600 litres of oil stored inside the Hariganga fishing boat and 9,650 litres valued at around Rs 10,40,250 on the Parvati Prasad boat

The Yellow Gate police have seized 11,000 litres of diesel from two fishing boats and arrested two persons for smuggling oil, in a deep-sea operation, on Monday. According to the police, based on specific information, an extensive search operation was launched in the deep sea on Monday. After checking hundreds of boats, the cops found two suspicious boats named Parvati Prasad and Hariganga.

"During the searches of these boats, we went into the engine room where illegal diesel drums and cans were stored. Both boats were taken into custody and two accused Deepakkumar Tandel, 40, and Sureshbhai Tandel, 47, were arrested. Further investigation is underway," Geeta Chavan, DCP Port Zone said.

According to the police, during the searches, they found 1,600 litres of oil stored inside the Hariganga fishing boat and 9,650 litres valued at around Rs 10,40,250 on another boat. The seized boats are valued at around Rs 70 lakh.

"Based on a preliminary probe, we have found that the boats went into the deep sea for fishing 15-20 days ago, near Gujarat. From there, the oil was loaded inside these boats. We have got six-day custody of the two accused to probe further," Chavan added. According to sources, the oil smuggling via a sea route seems to have been activated again. It had come down to almost zero during the Covid lockdown period.

"We carry out routine checking on a daily basis and our patrolling boats carry out searches on suspicious boats. However, this time we had specific information, based on which we went inside the engine room where the illegal oil was stored," Chavan said.