JANUARY 7, 2026 – In a pre-dawn action this morning, the Department of War, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker without incident.
The interdicted vessel, M/T Sophia, was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea.
The U.S. Coast Guard is escorting M/T Sophia to the U.S. for final disposition.
Through Operation Southern Spear, the Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere.
We will defend our Homeland and restore security and strength across the Americas.
The seizure of Marinera is the headliner this morning, given that Russian warships and a submarine are nearby, raising the risk that the situation could spiral out of control after Moscow warned the Trump administration in recent days to back off the tanker.
U.S. European Command (EUCOM) confirmed on X that the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Department of Defense, seized the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera (formerly Bella 1) for violating U.S. sanctions.
“The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by the USCGC Munro,” EUCOM said.