In a coordinated pre-dawn maritime operation, United States authorities have successfully interdicted the sanctioned oil tanker M/T Sophia in the Caribbean Sea. The Wednesday morning seizure was executed without incident while the vessel navigated international waters, according to an official statement from the US Department of War.
The operation, conducted in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, targeted what officials describe as a ‘dark fleet’ vessel—a classification referring to ships allegedly operating outside international regulatory frameworks. Such vessels typically feature obscured ownership structures or utilize disabled tracking systems to evade detection.
US Coast Guard personnel are currently escorting the apprehended tanker to American territory where it will undergo ‘final disposition’ procedures. Authorities have withheld specific details regarding the ship’s cargo composition or crew composition pending further investigation.
This interdiction represents a tactical component of Operation Southern Spear, an ongoing US initiative designed to combat illicit maritime activities throughout the Western Hemisphere. The Department of War emphasized that the successful operation demonstrates Washington’s continued commitment to enhancing regional security measures and safeguarding US territorial integrity.
No immediate response has been forthcoming from the vessel’s operators, and the specific nature of the sanctions allegedly violated by M/T Sophia remains undisclosed by investigating authorities.