Costal Security: Crime Branch forms special unit to gather intelligence in coastal areas

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“During the discussion, the various smuggling rackets that operate at sea were mentioned, including oil smuggling rackets and the recent bust of the red sanders smuggling racket being run allegedly by one Mohammed Ali Abu Bakr Sheikh. Other instances discussed were the November 2008 terrorist attacks and the smuggling of explosives via Shekhadi in 1992. Information received time and again about various other such rackets was also discussed, and it was agreed that the rackets need to be nullified before they grew out of hand,” said a Crime Branch officer.

Subsequently, a special unit of officers and constables was created to work exclusively on gathering intelligence in the coastal areas of the city, and acting immediately in case they learnt of any such racket.

“We have put together a team of policemen from three different units to work on this. They already have sources in the docks and other coastal areas, and have been instructed to be in regular touch with them,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Atulchandra Kulkarni.

Another officer said though coastal security had always been a sensitive subject, strengthening the city’s coastline had largely been reliant on human intelligence because of inadequate infrastructure.

“There are 73 landing points in the city and any of these can be used by criminal elements. However, half of the patrol boats that were obtained after the 2008 terrorist attacks are either not working or are under repairs. After every incident that exposes the porous nature of our coastal borders, be it the red sanders smuggling racket or the entry of 10 terrorists via Badhwar Park, we step up our watch on coastal areas in the city. But a dedicated unit will help gain round the clock intelligence and increase our chances of nipping such rackets in the bud,” the officer said.

gautam.mengle@expressindia.com