According to the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), Adjay Pant, the captain of the tanker “Smyrtos” detained in the English Channel, has been arrested and charged with allegedly violating sanctions imposed against Russia.
According to sea-news.az reports that the 38-year-old Indian national is accused of participating, in June 2026, in the direct or indirect maritime transportation of prohibited Russian crude oil or petroleum products to third countries.
The NCA also stated that the “Smyrtos” tanker is suspected of being linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”—a term commonly used to describe networks of tankers allegedly employed to circumvent international sanctions.
According to the agency, the captain is scheduled to appear before Southampton Magistrates’ Court on June 16.
It should be recalled that the 243-meter-long tanker was added to the UK sanctions list in July 2025. The vessel is currently anchored off the coast of Dorset, near Portland Island in southwestern England. A crew of 24 seafarers, consisting of Indian and Georgian nationals, remains on board.
The incident is being viewed as another example of Western countries intensifying enforcement measures related to sanctions targeting Russia’s energy exports.
