By CARLO BOFFA for AML Intelligence
DUTCH customs police seized a ship carrying goods bound for Russia and arrested its captain as part of a major operation targeting sanctions evasion.
The vessel operated a scheduled service between Rotterdam and St. Petersburg and was found to be transporting dozens of containers of car parts, including windshields, doors and air filters.
Export of such goods is prohibited under European sanctions against Russia. “That could be for passenger cars,” explained a customs officer. “But it could also be used for trucks heading to the battlefield.”
Aircraft parts, advanced technology and machinery that could strengthen Russia’s war industry are also banned from transiting Russian territory, given the risk they could remain there for military use.
“Customs encountered several shipments subject to the transit ban. Dozens of containers were stopped in the process,” authorities said, adding that the cargo is under further investigation.
Officers inspected the vessel at a Rotterdam port warehouse as part of a probe led by the Customs Precursors, Strategic Goods and Sanctions Legislation (POSS) Team and the Functional Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The ship’s captain was arrested on Friday on suspicion of criminal offences related to possible sanctions violations. The Rotterdam District Court on Monday ordered his remand in custody for two weeks.
The operation was conducted with support from Europol’s Target Group on Sanctions, the Rotterdam Port Police, the Dutch financial intelligence unit FIOD and the Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
“This is a complex investigation and I have no doubt not a unique one, but more so a trend that we will be seeing more and more as Member States initiate similar investigations and actions,” said Lucy Myles, Europol’s financial crime team leader.
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