Ajay Pant, a 38-year-old Indian national, was charged with breaching sanctions for supplying or delivering prohibited Russian oil to a third country by ship in June 2026 [1, 2].
British Royal Marines and the National Crime Agency intercepted the tanker MV Smyrtos in the Channel on June 14, 2026 [1, 2]. The vessel was sailing under the Cameroonian flag and was carrying approximately 98,000 tonnes of Russian oil at the time of its seizure [1].
The Royal Marines boarded the vessel in a night operation by fast-roping from a Chinook helicopter, according to the Crown Prosecution Service and law enforcement sources [1, 2]. Prosecutor Verun Chuni said, "The facts of this matter are that on the morning of June 14, 2026, Royal Marines and the National Crime Agency boarded MV Smyrtos. That vessel had entered UK territorial waters without a legitimate flag" [1].
Pant was arrested on the evening of June 14 and remanded in custody [1]. He later appeared by video link at Southampton Magistrates’ Court from Bournemouth police station on June 16 during a preliminary hearing [1, 2]. The charges were authorized by the UK Crown Prosecution Service following a file review by the National Crime Agency [2].
Pant’s defence solicitor James Diamond said the captain was "very clear on his actions that it was not his choice as to where this vessel was going or the cargo this vessel was carrying. He was simply following orders from those in the corporation" [1]. Pant himself stated he had no choice over the vessel's route or cargo and was following orders [1].
If convicted, Pant faces a possible prison sentence of up to 10 years [1]. The case continues as authorities investigate the circumstances of the tanker’s voyage and the involvement in sanctions breaches.
