Mumbai, October 22: A diesel smuggling racket, operating in high seas near Mumbai, has been busted by the Yellow Gate police. A 32-year-old fisherman, identified as Richard Peter, has been arrested for allegedly illegally buying diesel from a foreign ship mid-sea. He was arrested on Saturday. The police have seized his fishing trawler worth Rs 1.5 lakh.

The police arrested Peter after they traced telephone conversations and text chats exchanged between the gang members. According to the police, they were discussing high tide timings and a suitable time to venture into the high seas to collect diesel from a foreign ship. The police said they have electronic evidence to prove a larger conspiracy. Odisha Sets Record, First Time in India, Diesel Price Is Higher Than Petrol.

Trawlers, who go into the sea for fishing, stop near foreign ship anchored near the coast. Some ship captains sell diesel from their vessel at a very low price. Trawlers hide the fuel in their boats, smuggle it into the city and sell it at a high price. Peter allegedly bought 65 litres of diesel worth Rs 7,000. The police said selling large volumes of diesel without a licence from the petroleum ministry is an offence.

“This is a loss to the country. These trawlers are allowed to go into the sea for fishing, but they buy fuel, mostly from foreign ships anchored off the city coastline, for cheap and sell the same for a huge margin," a police officer told TOI. A case has been registered against Peter under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Essential Commodity Act, besides other offences.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 22, 2018 12:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).