Cops blow lid off diesel racket,two arrested

The two men,arrested earlier this week,have been identified as Kadar and Akbar.

On Friday,after getting information about the floating petrol pump called Sagar Sevak,the police raided the ship off the Alibaug coast,where it was stationed for the past year.

Special squad inspector Rakesh Sharma said,“A week ago,acting on a tip-off,we seized a vessel named Al Vasila near Bhau Cha Dhakka and found that its owner was buying diesel from a foreign-flagged ship at just Rs 8-12 per litre. When we took him into custody and questioned him,he told us about Sagar Sevak.” Officers said the crew on board ships illegally sold surplus fuel to these operators,who would further sell it through Sagar Sevak.

Although Sagar Sevak’s owner is absconding,the police have arrested two men who were allegedly in charge of the operations. “We have arrested them for cheating,smuggling and under various other sections. We are investigating the case further with the help of the Yellow Gate police,” said Sharma.

He added that Sagar Sevak had been stationed at the same place for the past year and some local fisherman were also part of the nexus and played the role of transporters. “We are checking all colonies of fisherman along the coast and questioning locals to find out who was involved,” added Sharma.

The arrested duo allegedly revealed that fuel stolen from foreign ships was also later sold at Rs 28-30 per litre.

Four men from Dongri,who also allegedly played a major role in the nexus,were also arrested. Investigators believe that the smugglers operating in the high seas off the Mumbai coast are part of a well-organised syndicate.