The Yellow Gate Police have unearthed a major crime racket involving minors, after three teenage boys were detained for smuggling oil. While interrogating them, the police learned that boys as young as 16 from Bhaucha Dhakka in Mazagaon, were being lured with money to tug or ride boats with cans full of diesel, as adults were sceptical about doing the work. Further investigations revealed that several minors operated in small gangs at the fish market, stealing phones and even fish. Police officials are currently working at reforming teenagers in the area, who are allegedly involved in petty crimes.

Who delivers the oil?

In September last year, the Yellow Gate Police arrested the alleged kingpin of a diesel smuggling racket. According to the police, the arrested accused, Raju Pandit, has five cases registered against him. A police officer said, "On September 17, during Ganpati Visarjan, a team of cops patrolling the Arabian Sea, saw a suspicious vessel near Sewri jetty. When we entered the boat, no one was on board, but we found cans full of diesel." The police seized 25 litres of diesel.