DOJ Files Forfeiture Complaint to Seize Skipper Tanker and 2M Barrels of Alleged Iranian–Venezuelan Oil
The Justice Department has filed its first civil forfeiture complaint to permanently seize the tanker Skipper and nearly 2 million barrels of petroleum taken off Venezuela in December, alleging the vessel was part of a "ghost tanker" operation that moved Iranian and Venezuelan oil under false flags and funneled revenue to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The filing — one of at least 10 tanker interdictions since late 2025 and framed by Attorney General Pam Bondi and DOJ Criminal Division chief A. Tysen Duva as part of the administration’s campaign to dismantle shadow fleets and assert control over Venezuelan oil flows — must be approved by a federal judge in Washington, D.C., before the cargo can be sold.
📌 Key Facts
- The Justice Department has filed a civil forfeiture complaint to permanently seize the tanker Skipper and nearly 2 million barrels of petroleum that were seized off Venezuela in December.
- The complaint alleges the Skipper was part of a 'ghost tanker' or shadow-fleet operation moving illicit oil from both Iran and Venezuela, using false flags to conceal shipments and funnel revenue to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (designated a foreign terrorist organization).
- This is the first such forfeiture complaint targeting one of at least 10 oil tankers the U.S. has intercepted since late 2025 as part of a broader campaign against the Venezuelan 'shadow fleet.'
- A federal judge in Washington, D.C., must approve the forfeiture before the U.S. can sell the cargo, making the case a legal test for how far courts will endorse maritime seizures.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi and DOJ Criminal Division chief A. Tysen Duva framed the action as part of Trump’s broader campaign to dismantle shadow fleets and assert U.S. control over Venezuelan oil production, refining and distribution following Nicolás Maduro’s capture.
- The administration has stated its goal of controlling Venezuela’s production, refining and global distribution of oil while selectively lifting sanctions to permit foreign firms to operate there.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
February 27, 2026
3:41 PM
US moves to claim tanker and 2M barrels of seized Venezuelan oil
New information:
- Confirms the Justice Department has now formally filed a civil forfeiture complaint to take permanent ownership of the tanker Skipper and nearly 2 million barrels of petroleum seized off Venezuela in December.
- States this is the first such complaint aimed at one of at least 10 oil tankers the U.S. has intercepted since late 2025 as part of a broader campaign against a Venezuelan 'shadow fleet' using false flags.
- Alleges the Skipper moved oil from both Iran and Venezuela while flying false flags and funneling revenue to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the U.S. designates a foreign terrorist organization.
- Clarifies that a federal judge in Washington, D.C., must sign off on the forfeiture before the oil can be sold, making this a legal test case for future tanker seizures.
- Reiterates the administration’s stated goal of controlling Venezuela’s production, refining and global distribution of oil while selectively lifting sanctions to let foreign firms operate there.
1:49 PM
US moves to legally control tanker and 2M barrels of oil seized off Venezuela's coast in December
New information:
- DOJ has filed its first civil forfeiture complaint to permanently take ownership of the tanker Skipper and nearly 2 million barrels of petroleum seized off Venezuela in December.
- The complaint alleges the Skipper was part of a 'ghost tanker' operation moving illicit oil from both Iran and Venezuela, using false flags to hide shipments and generate revenue for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, designated a foreign terrorist organization.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi and DOJ Criminal Division chief A. Tysen Duva framed the move as part of Trump’s broader campaign to dismantle shadow fleets and assert U.S. control over Venezuelan oil production, refining and distribution after Nicolás Maduro’s capture.
- A federal judge in Washington, D.C., must now approve the forfeiture before the U.S. can sell the cargo, making this a test case for how far courts will go in endorsing these maritime seizures.
February 24, 2026