All posts tagged: seizes

Belgium seizes suspected Russian shadow fleet vessel – POLITICO

Belgium seizes suspected Russian shadow fleet vessel – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Prime Minister Bart De Wever congratulated Belgium’s armed forces for “last night’s successful operation” and thanked France for its assistance. “Belgium will uphold international maritime law and the security of its territorial waters,” De Wever added in a post on X. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said in a separate post that the operation “was carried out within the International Task Force on the Shadow Fleet, alongside our G7, Nordic and Baltic partners.” The EU has struggled to stop Russia from exporting oil with the shadow fleet. As of December, it had designated about 600 vessels as part of the fleet. Source link

India Seizes Three Iran-Linked US-Sanctioned Tankers, Source Says

India Seizes Three Iran-Linked US-Sanctioned Tankers, Source Says

Published by Sam Flores

NEW DELHI, Feb 16 (Reuters) – India has seized three ⁠U.S.-sanctioned ⁠oil tankers linked to Iran this ⁠month and stepped up surveillance in its maritime zone to curb illicit ​trade, a source said on Monday, confirming a post on X by Indian authorities earlier in February that ‌had been deleted. India aims to prevent ‌its waters from being used for ship-to-ship transfers that obscure the origin of oil cargoes, the ⁠source with ⁠direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The seizures and heightened surveillance follow an ​improvement in U.S.-India relations. Washington earlier this month announced it will cut import tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50%, after New Delhi agreed to stop Russian oil imports. The three sanctioned vessels – Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star and ​Al Jafzia – frequently changed their identities to evade law enforcement by coastal states, the source said, ⁠adding ⁠that their owners were based ⁠overseas. VESSELS SEIZED ​OFFSHORE MUMBAI Iranian state media cited the National Iranian Oil Company as saying that the three tankers ​seized by India had no ⁠connection to …

JD Vance, Conservative Influencers, and Gen Z Nuns: After Charlie Kirk, the March for Life Seizes a Moment

JD Vance, Conservative Influencers, and Gen Z Nuns: After Charlie Kirk, the March for Life Seizes a Moment

Published by Sam Flores

At the annual March for Life in Washington, DC on Friday, a “hello pro-life America” chant grows as bobble hats, ear muffs and Charlie Kirk signs accumulate. To my left, a man in a gray suit with a cobalt blue mullet scrolls Google, searching for the definition of “euthanasia.” On my right, a gaggle of teenage boys workshop an ICE jingle while one of them beatboxes. Vice President JD Vance will speak, thousands are expected, and to top it all off, a major snowstorm is rolling in. In the wake of Kirk’s death last September, this year’s march reflects a heightened urgency to make abortion a political priority. Kirk heavily advocated for the pro-life movement, saying, “it’s not enough to be against abortion; we have to actually help women choose life,” a stance his widow, Erika, now the CEO of Turning Point USA, the conservative organization her late husband created, has continued to espouse in public events. Now, Kirk’s influence is palpable as young people from Turning Point USA, Students For Life, and Counteract USA, …

US military seizes sixth oil tanker it says has links to Venezuela

US military seizes sixth oil tanker it says has links to Venezuela

Published by Sam Flores

US forces in the Caribbean Sea have seized another sanctioned oil tanker the Trump administration says has ties to Venezuela, coming as part of a broader US effort to take control of the South American country’s oil. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote Thursday on social media, “Motor Tanker Veronica had previously passed through Venezuelan waters, and was operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean.” A social media post from US Southern Command on the capture said that Marines and sailors launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to make the capture while Noem’s post noted that, as in previous raids, a US Coast Guard tactical team conducted the boarding and seizure. Noem posted a brief video that appeared to show part of the ship’s capture. The black-and-white footage showed helicopters hovering over the deck of a merchant vessel while armed troops dropped down on the deck by rope. Read moreWhat can Trump offer Big Oil to bring US capital back to Venezuela? The Veronica is the …

U.S. seizes sixth Venezuela-linked tanker

U.S. seizes sixth Venezuela-linked tanker

Published by Sam Flores

Nobel Peace Prize 2025 laureate Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gets out of a car in front of the Grand Hotel in Oslo, Norway, after an audience at the Royal Palace. Ole Berg-rusten | Afp | Getty Images The United States has seized another Venezuela-linked tanker, U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday, ahead of a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. The seizure marks the sixth vessel targeted in recent weeks that was either carrying Venezuelan oil or had done so in the past. The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the seizure took place in the Caribbean. The U.S. military’s Southern Command confirmed the pre-dawn operation, saying U.S. forces apprehended Motor/Tanker Veronica “without incident.” It said the Veronica was “operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean.” “The only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully,” Southern Command said in a statement. The seizures began as part of Trump’s campaign to force Venezuelan …

Florida Gambling Commission seizes over 7,000 and 231 illegal machines in raid

Florida Gambling Commission seizes over $157,000 and 231 illegal machines in raid

Published by skeptic

The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) has raided three locations, seizing 231 illegal gambling machines and over $157,000 in illegal gambling proceeds in Lake County. Conducted under the code name ‘Calvin Coolidge,’ the FGCC operation targeted three locations believed to be housing unlawful gambling houses in Lake County’s Umatilla and Leesburg on Thursday (January 8). The raid saw the seizure of 231 illegal gambling machines and over $157,000 in illegal gambling proceeds, one of many recent raids as the state cracks down on illegal gambling operators. FGCC and the Lake County Sheriff's Office shut down three locations and seized illegal slot machines and cash. Read more here: https://t.co/hOOukO2olG pic.twitter.com/TevCQA67wo — Florida Gaming Control Commission (@FLGamingControl) January 9, 2026 The three locations were identified through the joint means of complaints, intelligence gathering, and investigative efforts from the FGCC. “These enforcement actions demonstrate our commitment to protecting Florida communities and preserving the integrity of the state’s gaming laws,” said FGCC Executive Director Alana Zimmer. “Illegal gambling operations undermine lawful businesses and exploit patrons. FGCC will continue to …

U.S. seizes another Venezuelan oil tanker

U.S. seizes another Venezuelan oil tanker

Published by Sam Flores

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Minneapolis protesters hold noise demonstration 00:58 DHS identifies 2 people shot by Border Patrol in Portland 01:12 Families mourn as Israeli strikes continue in Gaza 00:30 Trump says Denmark should not have claim to Greenland 00:37 Rep. Omar: ‘Complete outrage’ in Minneapolis after ICE shooting 02:22 Dozens missing in deadly Philippines garbage avalanche 00:29 ICE officer’s video shows moments before Minn. shooting 00:47 DHS releases photos of two people shot by Border Patrol 00:36 Frey says Minneapolis ICE agent was not run over 00:23 U.S. economy added 50,000 jobs in December 00:27 Russia attacks Ukraine with a new ballistic missile 00:23 Frey: ‘I dropped an F-bomb. They killed somebody’ 00:51 Frey urges federal investigators to ’embrace the truth’ 00:30 Now Playing U.S. seizes another Venezuelan oil tanker 00:30 UP NEXT Mayor Frey slams those calling Minneapolis a ‘hellscape’ 00:41 Trump says he canceled second round of Venezuela attacks 00:23 Nationwide protests erupt after fatal ICE shooting 00:38 Mass protests and …

“World’s Criminals On Notice”: Trump’s Gunboat Diplomacy Seizes Another Tanker In Caribbean

“World’s Criminals On Notice”: Trump’s Gunboat Diplomacy Seizes Another Tanker In Caribbean

Published by Jenni Sidey

Update (0930ET): Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that U.S. Coast Guard forces “executed a boarding and seizure” of the motor tanker Olina in international waters east of the Caribbean Sea. Noem said Olina was part of a vast network of so-called “ghost fleet” tankers suspected of carrying embargoed oil. She stated that the ship had departed Venezuela and was attempting to evade U.S. forces. She added that the operation was conducted in close coordination with the Department of Defense, the State Department, and the Department of Justice. “The ghost fleets will not outrun justice. They will not hide under false claims of nationality. 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 said. The world’s criminals are on notice. Early this morning, the @USCG executed a boarding and seizure of the Motor Tanker Olina in international waters east of the Caribbean Sea. As another “ghost fleet” tanker ship suspected of carrying embargoed oil, this vessel had departed… pic.twitter.com/vvS3u3nrvl — …

US seizes Olina tanker in Caribbean, fifth vessel taken in Venezuela blockade

US seizes Olina tanker in Caribbean, fifth vessel taken in Venezuela blockade

Published by Sam Flores

WASHINGTON: The US has seized the Olina tanker in the Caribbean, the fifth vessel targeted in recent weeks as Washington steps up efforts to curb Venezuelan oil exports, US officials said on Friday (Jan 9). The Olina, which according to public shipping database Equasis was falsely flying the flag of Timor Leste, had previously sailed from Venezuela and had returned to the region, said an industry source with direct knowledge of the matter. In a pre-dawn move, marines and sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, launched from the carrier USS Gerald R Ford, apprehended the Olina in the Caribbean Sea “without incident”, the US Southern Command said on X. “Once again, our joint interagency forces sent a clear message this morning: ‘there is no safe haven for criminals,’” it said. The Olina left Venezuela last week fully loaded with oil as part of a flotilla shortly after the US seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Jan 3, and the vessel was returning fully loaded to Venezuela following the US blockade of Venezuelan oil exports, …

Donroe Doctrine: US Seizes Russian-Flagged Tanker In Atlantic, Intercepts Dark-Fleet Ship In Caribbean

Donroe Doctrine: US Seizes Russian-Flagged Tanker In Atlantic, Intercepts Dark-Fleet Ship In Caribbean

Published by Jenni Sidey

Update (1014ET): “Donroe Doctrine” to clean up the Western Hemisphere was busy Wednesday morning, with the seizure of the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera (formerly Bella 1) in the North Atlantic, followed by U.S. forces seizing a stateless dark-fleet tanker in the Caribbean region. The seizure of Marinera is the headliner this morning, given that Russian warships and a submarine are nearby, raising the risk that the situation could spiral out of control after Moscow warned the Trump administration in recent days to back off the tanker. Within the last hour, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) wrote on X that U.S. forces “apprehended a stateless, sanctioned dark-fleet motor tanker without incident.” SOUTHCOM said, “The interdicted vessel, M/T Sophia, was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea. The U.S. Coast Guard is escorting M/T Sophia to the U.S. for final disposition.” SOUTHCOM concluded the post by signaling the Donroe Doctrine: “Through Operation Southern Spear, the Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere. We will …