Watch: US troops board Russia-flagged oil tanker; choppers hover near ship

US homeland security secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday said that the Coast Guard conducted the back-to-back operation of boarding two “ghost fleet” tanker ships, Motor Tanker Bella I and the Motor Tanker Sophia, and claimed either of them was last docked in Venezuela or en route to it.

In a post on X, Noem gave a warning to the narco-terrorists that their best team is out to find them and finish them in order to protect American people.







The United States released footage showing a helicopter hovering over the vessel as armed troops were lowered onto the deck, where they boarded and took control of the ship.

"In two predawn operations today, the Coast Guard conducted back-to-back meticulously coordinated boarding of two “ghost fleet” tanker ships— one in the North Atlantic Sea and one in international waters near the Caribbean. Both vessels —the Motor Tanker Bella I and the Motor Taker Sophia—were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it," she said.

The US seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker with links to Venezuela and interdicted vessel, M/T Sophia. According to the US South Command, the Bella-1 violated the US sanctions and M/T Sophia was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities.

" Under President Trump’s bold and visionary leadership, US Coast Guard tactical teams worked closely with its counterparts at the Departments of War, Department of Justice and State and used their specialized expertise to conduct these operations and conduct two safe, effective boardings within hours of each other. One of these tankers, Motor Tanker Bella I, has been trying to evade the Coast Guard for weeks, even changing its flag and painting a new name on the hull while being pursued, in a desperate and failed attempt to escape justice," she added.


In a post on X, Noem praised the army and said that the "heroic crew of the USCGC Munro" pursued this vessel and helped to board the "ghost fleet."

"The heroic crew of the USCGC Munro pursued this vessel across the high seas and through treacherous storms— keeping diligent watch, and protecting our country with the determination and patriotism that make Americans proud. These brave men and women deserve our nation’s thanks for their selfless devotion to duty," she said.

"The world’s criminals are on notice. You can run, but you can’t hide. We will never relent in our mission to protect the American people and disrupt the funding of narco terrorism wherever we find it, period. This is our country’s greatest fighting force at their best. This is America first at sea," she added.