WASHINGTON D.C.
Federal authorities seek to seize oil aboard four takers bound for Venezuela, officials announced Thursday.
The shipments are allegedly a “source of influence” for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a terrorist organization, officials stated.
A forfeiture complaint and warrant were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that all
The tankers are the Bella, Pandi, Bering, and Luna that are subject to forfeiture based on terrorism forfeiture laws.
The documents allege a scheme involving multiple parties affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard Corps to covertly ship Iranian gasoil, obtained via ship-to-ship transfers, to Venezuela, officials stated.
The shipments are alleged to be a “source of influence” for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
The documents allege that profits from petroleum sales support the IRGC’s full range of nefarious activities, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, support for terrorism, and a variety of human rights abuses, at home and abroad.
There are approximately 302,502 barrels of Iranian gasoline currently onboard the Bella, approximately 302,522 barrels of Iranian gasoline currently onboard the Bering, approximately 259,700 barrels of Iranian gasoline currently onboard the Luna, and approximately 298,484 barrels of Iranian gasoline currently onboard the Pandi, officials stated.
U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg issued a warrant to seize all Iranian gasoline on these four vessels, based on a probable cause showing of forfeitability.
The warrant commands the property to be brought to the sole jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C.
A warrant for arrest and civil forfeiture complaint are merely allegations.