New Delhi, Feb. 7 -- The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) announced on Saturday that it has dismantled a global syndicate engaged in the illicit trafficking of crude oil. This syndicate operated via a complex web of multiple handlers located across various international jurisdictions.

The sea-air coordinated operation, concluded on Friday, 6 February, targeted a racket responsible for transporting significant quantities of petroleum and oil-derived cargo from war-torn regions. This cargo was then transferred mid-ocean to motorized tankers in international territory for commercial gain, the Indian Coast Guard said.

The smugglers managed the commercial exchange and transshipment of the goods between various maritime vessels.

As per the ICG, thre...