A U.S. court has issued a warrant for the seizure of an Iranian tanker that British Royal Marines had seized last month in Gibraltar, a court document revealed on Friday.
The Iranian oil vessel Grace 1, the more than 2 million barrels of oil it carries and $995,000 are subject to seize based on a complaint by the U.S. government, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jessie Liu said in a press release.
The seizure of an Iranian oil tanker Grace 1 by officials in Gibraltar, accompanied by British Royal Marines. British Royal Marines in Gibraltar grid Grace 1 believed to have been carrying oil to Syria, which is, according to authorities is a violation of European Union sanctions on Syria.
“The scheme involves multiple parties affiliated with the IRGC and furthered by the deceptive voyages of the Grace 1,” Liu said. “A network of front companies allegedly laundered millions of dollars in support of such shipments,” he added.
“A seizure warrant and a forfeiture complaint are merely allegations. The burden to prove forfeitability in a civil forfeiture proceeding is upon the government,” the press release mentioned.
Gibraltar lifted the tanker’s detention order on Thursday but the tanker was further ill-fated by a last-punch of U.S. legal appeal to seize it.
Relevant: Gibraltar releases Grace 1, neglecting US’ call to extend detention
The tanker got a clear signal on Friday, but its anchor was still down off Gibraltar and it was unclear if it was allowed to sail soon.
The warrant for the seizure of the tanker, which carries 2.1 million barrels of oil, was issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and addressed to “The United States Marshal’s Service and/or any other duly authorized law enforcement officer.”