The United States Coast Guard is seizing a sanctioned vessel off the Venezuelan coast, two U.S. officials confirm to NBC News.
The operation is in progress. It was first reported by Reuters.
The Coast Guard is taking the lead, both officials said. The U.S. military is supporting with helicopters that are dropping off Coast Guard personnel and observing overhead, one of the officials said.
This comes after the U.S. interdicted a large, sanctioned oil tanker known as the Skipper off the coast of Venezuela last week.
After that operation, the Trump administration sanctioned six more ships believed to be carrying Venezuelan oil.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
