Ownership of an EU-sanctioned pleasure boat is still under investigation
Customs has done Progress has been made in investigating pleasure boats arrested for sanctions against Russia. Further investigations of the six pleasure boats have shown that the parties on the sanction lists may be in contact with the boats. Customs has forwarded the cases to the enforcement authorities. Customs has released five pleasure boats. For other vessels, investigations are ongoing.
In March, Customs detained 21 pleasure boats for further investigation under sanctions against Russia. In addition to these, Customs notified the seizure authorities of one vessel.
– We have worked closely with various parties to find out the ownership conditions for pleasure boats. Some cases involve different cover-up arrangements and take time and effort to investigate. In both our enforcement and intelligence activities, we have relied heavily on the implementation of commonly agreed EU sanctions as effectively as possible, says Mr. Sami RakshitDirector of the Executive Department.
Further investigations by Customs into six pleasure boats have shown that persons or parties who may have been on the EU’s list of sanctions against Russia and Belarus are in contact with the ships. Customs have reported the cases to the enforcement authorities. In decisions concerning the property of persons on the sanction lists, the executing authority shall be the executing authority.
For the four vessels, further investigations did not give rise to any doubts as to whether they belonged to the sanctioned persons or parties. Customs revoked the detention orders for these vessels and released them on 18-19 May 2022. In addition to these, one boat was released earlier.
For other recreational craft seized by customs, investigations are ongoing. Customs will inform the matter after the completion of further investigations.
The EU has imposed extensive sanctions on Russia and Belarus over Russia’s attack on Ukraine. As the enforcement authority, Customs is responsible for monitoring export and import sanctions agreed at EU level. In addition, customs help identify and locate the assets of individuals and entities on EU sanctions lists. This includes stopping recreational boats.
Customs online news article (March 29, 2022): Background information on stopping recreational boats on EU sanctions lists and the ownership process
Source: Customs