US authorities say they have intercepted a sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea during a pre-dawn operation carried out early on Wednesday.
In a statement, the US Department of War said the stateless motor tanker, M/T Sophia, was apprehended without incident while operating in international waters.
The operation was conducted in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.
Officials alleged the vessel was part of a so-called “dark fleet” and was engaged in illicit activities in the region.
Dark fleet vessels are typically accused by Western governments of operating outside international regulations, often with obscured ownership or disabled tracking systems.
The US Coast Guard is escorting the tanker to the United States, where authorities say it will undergo “final disposition”. No further details were provided on the vessel’s cargo or crew.
The interdiction forms part of Operation Southern Spear, a US initiative aimed at countering illegal maritime activity in the Western Hemisphere.
In its statement, the Department of War said the operation reflected its commitment to regional security and the defence of the US homeland.
There was no immediate response from the vessel’s operators, and it remains unclear which sanctions M/T Sophia is alleged to have violated.
