Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced on January 7, 2026, that the United States had executed a seizure warrant for the crude oil tanker BELLA 1.
The vessel had been responsible for transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. It was previously designated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for its role in a sanctions evasion network that supports foreign terrorist organizations.
Despite attempts to evade capture, including fleeing from the U.S. Coast Guard, the BELLA 1 was apprehended safely that morning.
As a result of failing to obey the Coast Guard’s orders, crew members on the vessel are under full investigation, and criminal charges will be pursued against all responsible parties.
The Department of Justice is monitoring several other vessels for similar enforcement actions. Bondi stated that anyone on any vessel who fails to obey instructions from the Coast Guard or other federal officials will face investigation and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.
The seizure resulted from collaboration between the Department of Justice—including attorneys from the National Security Division, Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia—the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard.
