Odisha Police have confiscated nearly 3,500 litres of diesel and arrested one person accused of illegally sourcing materials from ships anchored in deep-sea zones, a police official said on Saturday.
The seizure was a part of a special enforcement operation conducted within the Paradip Marine Police jurisdiction. According to a statement from the Jagatsinghpur district police, officers intercepted a motorised boat that was allegedly being used for the unauthorised transport of approximately 3,500 litres of fuel.
The diesel, the vessel, and various other materials were seized at the spot. Authorities identified the arrested suspect as Sunnapalli Neelayya, a native of Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh, currently residing in the Sandhakuda area of Paradip.
While Neelayya was taken into custody, two of his associates managed to flee the scene. Police are currently conducting raids to apprehend the escapees and identify the suspected mastermind behind the illegal operation.
🚨 Major Crackdown on Deep-Sea Diesel Smuggling Network 🚨
Paradeep Marine Police achieved a major breakthrough against organized maritime fuel smuggling during a special enforcement operation.
✅ Approx. 3500 litres of illegally trafficked diesel seized
✅ Motor-operated boat… pic.twitter.com/xv0GRp3C5S— Jagatsinghpur Police (@jspurpolice) May 9, 2026
Preliminary investigation suggests that the trafficking network facilitated unauthorised exchanges involving more than just fuel. The racket reportedly dealt in a variety of suspicious commodities, including pre-activated SIM cards, meat, vegetables, liquor, and narcotics, potentially involving significant cash transactions, police said.
Emphasizing that the case is being investigated from multiple perspectives – including organized crime and maritime security – police noted that the operation has unmasked a sophisticated illegal supply chain functioning through maritime routes and deep-sea ship dealings.
Investigation is continuing to identify the wider network, financial transactions and involvement of other persons connected with the racket, police said.
