Shadow Fleet Tanker Captain Sentenced To 10 Months In Prison After Evading USCG In Weeks-Long Pursuit

Avtandil Kalandadze, the former captain of the tanker Bella 1, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison in the United States for refusing orders from the U.S. Coast Guard and fleeing during a weeks-long pursuit across the Atlantic Ocean.

Kalandadze, 47, a Georgian national, pleaded guilty on June 12, 2026, to failing to stop for a Coast Guard cutter. He will be deported after serving his 10-month sentence, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

Kalandadze was the master of Bella 1 from September 2025 until late December 2025. During that period, the tanker carried about 1.8 million barrels of Iran-origin oil to Asia, according to his plea agreement.

The tanker was later renamed Marinera.

Tanker fled after Coast Guard interception

In December 2025, Bella 1 was heading to Venezuela when it was intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro.

The tanker did not follow orders to stop and instead fled across the Atlantic. Munro continued to pursue the vessel during its escape.

On Jan. 7, 2026, Munro helped carry out the lawful seizure of Bella 1, according to the Justice Department.

During the pursuit, Kalandadze ignored several orders from authorised federal law enforcement officers to stop for the Coast Guard cutter. He also destroyed records and other information on board the tanker.

The Justice Department said Kalandadze took these steps at the direction of a corporate representative of the vessel’s operator.

Specialized capabilities. Global impact. An unstoppable joint force.

Alongside @DeptofWar, @USCG conducted a boarding and seizure of the Motor Tanker Bella I this morning in the North Atlantic. Following a sustained shadowing effort across the Atlantic by Coast Guard Cutter… pic.twitter.com/xEmFkh4xLO

— U.S. Coast Guard (@USCG) January 7, 2026

Bella 1 used methods to hide its activities

While Kalandadze was master, Bella 1 used several methods to conceal its movements and activities.

The tanker sailed with its Automatic Identification System, or AIS, switched off. AIS is used to transmit information about a vessel, including its identity and location.

The ship also hid the name Bella 1 while carrying out a ship-to-ship transfer of Iran-origin oil to another vessel.

According to the plea agreement, the tanker transported about 1.8 million barrels of Iran-origin oil to Asia between September and late December 2025.

U.S. investigation

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro said Kalandadze had captained a vessel used to conceal oil shipments for U.S. adversaries and fled after the Coast Guard ordered him to stop.

The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI.

The Justice Department’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section and Office of International Affairs also assisted with the investigation.

The department thanked members of the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Department of War for their assistance.

Kalandadze will serve his 10-month prison sentence before being deported to the Republic of Georgia.

Reference: US DOJ