Another Venezuelan Oil Cheat Boat Belongs to Uncle Sam Now [WATCH]

The United States Navy and U.S. Marine Corps intercepted, boarded, and seized a sanctioned oil tanker identified as the Motor/Tanker Olina during a pre-dawn operation in the Caribbean Sea, according to statements from U.S. Southern Command and the Department of Homeland Security.

U.S. Southern Command, which oversees the Department of War’s Operation Southern Spear, confirmed the seizure in a statement posted on X.

The command said the operation involved joint interagency forces and was carried out without incident.

“Once again, our joint interagency forces sent a clear message this morning: ‘there is no safe haven for criminals,’” U.S. Southern Command said.

According to the command, Marines and Sailors assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Spear launched from the USS Gerald R. Ford and apprehended the Olina in the Caribbean Sea while operating in support of the Department of Homeland Security.

“In a pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, launched from the USS Gerald R. Ford and apprehended Motor/Tanker Olina in the Caribbean Sea without incident,” the command said.

U.S. Southern Command said the operation was supported by the U.S. Navy’s Amphibious Ready Group, which includes the USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, and USS Fort Lauderdale.

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“Apprehensions like this are backed by the full power of the U.S. Navy’s Amphibious Ready Group, including the ready and lethal platforms of the USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, and USS Fort Lauderdale,” the statement said.

The command added that Operation Southern Spear remains focused on disrupting illicit activity in the region.

“The Department of War’s Operation Southern Spear is unwavering in its mission to defend our homeland by ending illicit activity and restoring security in the Western Hemisphere,” the statement said.

A Fox News report provided additional details about the tanker’s movements and background.

According to Reuters, British maritime risk management company Vanguard said the Olina’s Automatic Identification System tracker had last been active 52 days earlier in the Venezuelan Exclusive Economic Zone northeast of Curaçao.

“The vessel’s AIS (location) tracker was last active 52 days ago in the Venezuelan EEZ, northeast of Curaçao,” Vanguard said, according to Reuters.

“The seizure follows a prolonged pursuit of tankers linked to sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments in the region.”

Reuters also reported that the Olina was flying the flag of Timor-Leste, citing data from Equasis.

The vessel had previously sailed from Venezuela and later returned to the region, according to an industry source with direct knowledge of the matter cited by Reuters.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem released a statement confirming the seizure and outlining the federal agencies involved in the operation.

“The world’s criminals are on notice,” Noem said.

“Early this morning, the @USCG executed a boarding and seizure of the Motor Tanker Olina in international waters east of the Caribbean Sea,” Noem said. “As another ‘ghost fleet’ tanker ship suspected of carrying embargoed oil, this vessel had departed Venezuela attempting to evade U.S. forces.”

Noem said the operation involved coordination among multiple federal departments.

“Close coordination with the @DeptofWar, @StateDept, and @TheJusticeDept ensured a safe, effective boarding consistent with law,” she said.

She added that the Coast Guard would continue to target vessels involved in sanctioned oil trafficking.

“The ghost fleets will not outrun justice. They will not hide under false claims of nationality,” Noem said.

“The Coast Guard will seize sanctioned oil tankers, enforce U.S. and international law, and eliminate these funding streams for illicit activity including narco-terrorism.”

Noem also praised the Coast Guard’s role in the operation.

“We are deeply proud of the Coast Guard’s maritime fighting force for their relentless execution of this mission,” she said.

“This is owning the sea.”

Federal officials did not immediately announce where the Olina would be taken following its seizure or whether charges would be filed in connection with the operation.

U.S. authorities said the seizure remains part of ongoing enforcement efforts tied to Operation Southern Spear in the Caribbean and surrounding waters.