The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has unsealed a seizure warrant for the oil tanker M/T Skipper, which was taken by U.S. authorities off the coast of Venezuela. The action was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and FBI Director Kash Patel.
A magistrate judge in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia signed the seizure warrant on November 26, 2025. On December 10, the U.S. Coast Guard boarded and seized the crude oil tanker while it was traveling on international waters after leaving Venezuela.
According to information from the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the vessel, previously known as Adisa, is part of an oil shipping network that supports Hizballah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF). Both groups are designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. Department of State. Proceeds from these petroleum shipments are used by IRGC to fund its operations.
“As the premiere United States Attorney’s office leading efforts to intercept ghost vessels as well as sanctioned products, we remain committed to legally supporting President Trump’s efforts to make the world a safer place,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office in DC has demonstrated exceptional perseverance, and a unique ability to navigate the challenges inherent in this type of enforcement action unmatched anywhere in the country.”
“The FBI’s Counterintelligence Division and our partners will continue to enforce U.S. sanctions and cut off our adversaries from financial markets and critical technology,” said FBI Director Patel. “The seizure of this vessel highlights our successful efforts to impose costs on the governments of Venezuela and Iran. Sanctions enforcement requires a whole-of-government approach and the FBI is proud to be part of the team.”
The legal authority for this action comes from statutes allowing for asset seizures linked to individuals or organizations involved in federal crimes related to terrorism against Americans or their property.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation carried out the seizure after boarding by Coast Guard personnel.
Prosecution is being handled by attorneys from both the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and divisions within the Department of Justice specializing in national security and criminal matters.
