Washington : intensifies its efforts to combat the “illicit oil trade” and seizes a tanker and shadow navy ship connected to Russia
Washington : stepped up enforcement of sanctions aimed at illegal oil trafficking in the Western Hemisphere, the United States confirmed the seizure of two vessels in separate operations in the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, including a tanker connected to Russia and a stateless “dark fleet” ship.
In accordance with a US federal court warrant, the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, in cooperation with the Department of War, seized the tanker M/V Bella 1 in the North Atlantic, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday (local time).
Leavitt informed reporters, “I think you’re talking about the Bella 1 tanker that was taken this morning.” “That seizure for violation of US sanctions was announced this morning by the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of War.”
The government claims that the ship was apprehended after the US Coast Guard cutter Munro monitored it. “After being tracked by the USCGC Munro, the vessel was seized in the North Atlantic Ocean pursuant to a warrant issued by a US federal court,” an official statement said.
According to officials, the seizure was executed in accordance with a presidential order targeting sanctioned boats that were not adhering to international standards. According to the statement, “this seizure directly supports the Presidential Proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere.”
According to Leavitt, the Bella 1 was a component of what US authorities referred to as a Venezuelan “shadow fleet” that was shipping oil that was subject to sanctions. She said that the ship was under a court seizure order and that the crew was “now subject to prosecution for any applicable violation of federal law.” “Under this President is not going to tolerate that,” she continued.
The M/T Sophia, another tanker, was also captured by US officials in the Caribbean Sea in a different pre-dawn operation. The assault was part of a larger military-led campaign to disrupt illegal marine activities, according to the Department of War.
According to the Department of War, “a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker was apprehended without incident this morning in a pre-dawn action in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.”
According to the statement, the ship was operating outside of any country’s authority. It said that the M/T Sophia, the interdicted vessel, was engaged in illegal operations in the Caribbean Sea and operating in international seas.
According to the Coast Guard, the ship is now being transported to American shores for ultimate disposal.
According to Leavitt, the action demonstrated the administration’s commitment to regional security and the execution of sanctions.
The statement said, “The Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere through Operation Southern Spear.”
The announcement about the Bella 1 seizure said, “The operation was carried out by DHS components with support from the Department of War, showcasing a whole-of-government approach to protecting the homeland.”
Leavitt said that the move was restricted to the execution of sanctions when asked whether the boarding of a ship with ties to Russia posed a danger of worsening relations with Moscow. She said that “only legitimate commerce is permitted” and that “enforcing the embargo against all dark fleet vessels that are illegally transporting oil” is what it means to seize these ships.
Stateless boats and ships flying phony or quickly altered flags are often utilized to avoid sanctions, according to US authorities. The government has maintained that in order to maintain US sanctions regimes and stop illegal income flows, stronger interdictions are required.
The seizures coincide with increased pressure from Washington on networks that transport Venezuelan oil under sanctions via foreign waterways. In order to capture boats that it thinks are acting against US law and presidential proclamations, the US has said that it will keep using court warrants, Coast Guard monitoring, and interagency collaboration.