Captain charged after US seizes vessel

On 12 February 2026 a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia returned a two-count indictment against Captain Avtandil Kalandadze, the master of the motor tanker Bella 1, based on events surrounding the pursuit and boarding of the vessel in December 2025 and January 2026. The charges - taking an action to prevent a lawful seizure and failing to heave to - reflect the government's aggressive use of federal maritime criminal statutes against vessel personnel who, it alleges, obstructed an authorised enforcement action. Captain Kalandadze made his initial appearance before the US District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and remains in custody pending transfer to Washington DC.