In a decisive pre-dawn operation, U.S. forces moved swiftly to intercept and secure the tanker M/T Sophia in international Caribbean waters, marking a major escalation in Washington’s crackdown on illicit maritime networks operating beyond the reach of global sanctions. According to U.S. Southern Command, the vessel, identified as a stateless, sanctioned tanker linked to sanctions-evasion routes involving Russia, Iran and Venezuela was apprehended before first light through a coordinated effort involving the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Defense, and Homeland Security agencies. The operation was carried out without incident. WATCH 

In a decisive pre-dawn operation, U.S. forces moved swiftly to intercept and secure the tanker M/T Sophia in international Caribbean waters, marking a major escalation in Washington’s crackdown on illicit maritime networks operating beyond the reach of global sanctions. According to U.S. Southern Command, the vessel, identified as a stateless, sanctioned tanker linked to sanctions-evasion routes involving Russia, Iran and Venezuela was apprehended before first light through a coordinated effort involving the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Defense, and Homeland Security agencies. The operation was carried out without incident. WATCH