Odisha Police Bust Deep-Sea Diesel Smuggling Racket, 3,500 Litres Seized

Odisha Police has seized nearly 3,500 litres of diesel and arrested one person during a crackdown on an alleged illegal maritime supply network operating off the coast of Paradip, officials said on Saturday.

The seizure was made during a special enforcement operation carried out by the Marine Police in the coastal jurisdiction of Jagatsinghpur district. Acting on intelligence inputs, police intercepted a motor-operated boat allegedly transporting large quantities of diesel procured illegally from ships anchored in deep-sea areas.

The diesel, the boat and other materials were seized from the spot. Police arrested Sunnapalli Neelayya , a native of Srikakulam who was currently residing in Paradip’s Sandhakuda area. Two of his associates managed to flee during the raid, while efforts are underway to trace them and identify the suspected mastermind behind the operation.

According to investigators, the racket allegedly operated through unauthorised mid-sea exchanges between local boats and cargo ships anchored offshore. Small boats would reportedly approach vessels waiting in deep waters and clandestinely transfer fuel and other goods without official clearance or customs monitoring.

Police said preliminary investigations indicate that the network may have been involved in smuggling not only diesel, but also pre-activated SIM cards, liquor, narcotic substances, meat supplies, vegetables and cash through maritime routes. Officials suspect the operation functioned as an organised illegal supply chain catering to ships anchored outside port limits.

Authorities are now probing the case from multiple angles, including possible links to organised crime and maritime security threats. Investigators are also examining the financial trail and the involvement of other persons connected to the network.