According to Bondi, the ship was used to circumvent US sanctions by transporting oil from Venezuela and Iran.
She stressed that a comprehensive investigation is being carried out against the crew members of this ship.
“The Department of Justice is monitoring several other vessels for similar actions – anyone on any vessel who fails to comply with the instructions of the Coast Guard or other federal officials will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she wrote.
Today the United States executed a seizure warrant for the BELLA 1, a crude oil tanker responsible for transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. The BELLA 1 was previously designated by OFAC for its role in a sanctions evasion network responsible for supporting foreign…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) January 7, 2026
US officials continue to avoid indicating that the ship was under the flag of the Russian aggressor country. BBC News explained that the flag on the ship was changed during the voyage, which is contrary to international maritime law. In fact, the US considers it a stateless vessel.
Context
US troops in December pursued three tankers believed to be carrying Venezuelan oil. One of them, called Skipper, was stopped and detained by the coast guard on December 10 on its way to China. Second, Centuries, US Coast Guard took control December 20. Third, Bella 1, then ran awayand later received Russian registration and the name Marinera.
According to the NYT, Oil tankers from Venezuela are trying to circumvent the US blockade by disguising their real location or turning off their data signals.
The US military seized the tanker Marinera on January 7 in the Atlantic Ocean near Iceland. The Russian ships that were nearby at that time did not interfere in the American special operation.
