Mumbai police bust high seas speed diesel racket

Officers of the special squad of the police commissioner on Saturday busted a high seas speed diesel pilferage and smuggling racket operating from Damania Jetty. The police have arrested two persons, allegedly involved in the smuggling of 50,000 litres of diesel worth Rs22.50 lakh and a barge worth Rs3.40 crore.

The arrested persons have been identified as Vasudev Kasani Dhuri and Rangeelaprasad Shambhu Roy, and are in police custody at Yellowgate police station till August 23.

According to police sources, specific information was received by senior police inspector Rakesh Sharma from Crime Branch Control that pilferage of high speed diesel and petrol takes place in the high seas from international ships and the diesel is then smuggled into the city and sold at market prices.

Based on the information, the police team conducted search operations in Mogul Line Damania Jetty area in Bhaucha Dhakka, sources said. “The accused were arrested from the barge. We have also seized 50,000 litres of diesel and the barge.

Investigations revealed the said barge belongs to Shiny Shipping Logistics Company and the captain of the said barge is one Santosh Mana, who is presently at-large,” said an officer, requesting anonymity. He added that around five to seven persons are wanted in the case.