A US official has released “unclassified” footage showing the moment US Coast Guard tactical teams seizing a second tanker “near the Caribbean.”
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the operation was part of an “pre-dawn operation” to capture the “ghost fleet” connected to Venezuela which helps to fund narco-terrorism.
Noem wrote on X, “The Coast Guard conducted back-to-back meticulously coordinated boarding of two “ghost fleet” tanker ships— one in the North Atlantic Sea and one in international waters near the Caribbean.
“Both vessels —the Motor Tanker Bella I and the Motor Taker Sophia—were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it.”
Read more related news:
Russian flagged tanker seized off UK coast
She added: “US Coast Guard tactical teams worked closely with its counterparts at the Departments of War, Department of Justice and State and used their specialized expertise to conduct these operations and conduct two safe, effective boardings within hours of each other.
“One of these tankers, Motor Tanker Bella I, has been trying to evade the Coast Guard for weeks, even changing its flag and painting a new name on the hull while being pursued, in a desperate and failed attempt to escape justice.”
Noem stressed further: “The heroic crew of the USCGC Munro pursued this vessel across the high seas and through treacherous storms.
Another Russian linked tanker captured.
Interesting developments. https://t.co/7f7Nw1ONkZ— Shaun Pinner (@olddog100ua) January 7, 2026
“The world’s criminals are on notice. You can run, but you can’t hide.”
Russia was quick to condemn the US seizure of the Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic on Wednesday afternoon saying this is a violation of maritime law.
The Russian transport ministry said in a statement, “In accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, freedom of navigation applies in the high seas, and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states.”
