On January 7, 2026, United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that the U.S. Coast Guard successfully carried out two coordinated boarding operations against so-called “ghost fleet” tanker ships. The operations took place in the early predawn hours, with one boarding occurring in the North Atlantic Sea and the other in international waters near the Caribbean.
The vessels involved were identified as the Motor Tanker Bella I and the Motor Tanker Sophia. According to Secretary Noem’s statement, both ships were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it.
Secretary Noem highlighted the close collaboration between U.S. Coast Guard tactical teams and counterparts from the Departments of War, Justice, and State. These interagency efforts enabled the two safe and effective boardings to occur within hours of each other, under President Trump’s leadership.
The Motor Tanker Bella I had reportedly been evading the Coast Guard for weeks. During the pursuit, the vessel changed its flag and painted a new name on its hull in an attempt to avoid capture. The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro (USCGC Munro) tracked the ship across the high seas and through treacherous storms.
Secretary Noem praised the Munro’s crew for their diligence and patriotism, stating that these personnel deserve the nation’s thanks for their selfless devotion to duty.
In her statement, Secretary Noem emphasized that the operations serve as a warning to international criminals: “You can run, but you can’t hide.” She affirmed the ongoing commitment to protect the American people and disrupt the funding of narco-terrorism globally. She described the actions as a demonstration of America’s greatest fighting force performing at its best, embodying “America first at sea.”
The provided post included an unclassified infrared or night vision image of a tanker at sea, showing targeting overlays on the vessel’s hull and superstructure during what appears to be a monitoring or approach phase of the operation. This visual aligns with the predawn nature of the boardings described.
