The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has dismantled an international oil-smuggling operation after interdicting three tankers linked to Iran’s “shadow fleet” in the Arabian Sea. The coordinated sea-air operation, conducted on February 5–6, 2026, resulted in the seizure of three vessels approximately 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai. Authorities allege the vessels were engaged in illicit ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian petroleum to evade international sanctions and national customs duties.
The intercepted vessels have been identified as the Asphalt Star (IMO 9463528), the Stellar Ruby (IMO 9555199), and the Al Jafzia (IMO 9171498, formerly known as Chiltern). All three tankers are currently under U.S. sanctions for their involvement in the Iranian petroleum trade. The vessels were reportedly operating under a variety of false flags – including Mali, Nicaragua, and Guyana – and utilized sophisticated AIS spoofing to disguise their movements between the Persian Gulf and the Indian coast.
Intelligence suggests the tankers are part of a 30-vessel fleet controlled by a sanctioned Indian national based in the UAE. The smuggling syndicate allegedly focused on transporting low-cost oil through mid-sea transfers in international waters, bypassing regulatory oversight and maritime security protocols. ICG specialist boarding teams conducted “sustained rummaging” of the ships, uncovering electronic evidence and documents that helped investigators reconstruct the network’s global operational structure.
As of February 9, the three tankers are being escorted in convoy to the Port of Mumbai for further legal proceedings. The crew members remain in custody and are undergoing interrogation by Indian Customs and other security agencies to identify additional handlers within the syndicate.
