PORT EVERGLADES, FLA. (WSVN) - U.S. officials announced they’ve stopped multiple shipments of fuel headed to Cuba.
Federal agents said Wednesday morning that they have seized 90 shipments of biodiesel fuel worth $2.8 million that was on its way to Cuba illegally.
Homeland Security Investigations said the fuel was bound for Enetec S.A., an entity that authorities said is used by the Cuban government.
“Enetec was designated pursuant to Executive Order 14404 for posing a direct threat to [United States] national security and foreign policy interests,” said Jose R. Figueroa, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Miami. “This is a deliberate effort here to undermine U.S. sanctions.”
According to authorities, 71 shipments containing around 496,000 gallons of biodiesel were seized at Port Everglades. Another 19 shipments that contained about 119,000 gallons were detained at Port of Houston.
Federal agents said the shipments violated U.S. export laws and sanctions, and that the enforcement action is part of a broader effort to prevent good from reaching sanctioned entities in Cuba.
“These enforcement actions are not intended to interfere with legitimate humanitarian assistance that supports Cuban families, workers and communities,” said Figueroa. “These actions concern shipments suspected of benefiting the Cuban regime.”
The operation was carried out by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Department of Commerce.
“CBP has a critical responsibility at our nation’s ports of entry to enforce U.S. laws governing both inbound and outbound trade,” said Daniel Alonso, director of field operations for CBP Miami. “Our officers are not simply looking at what enters the United States, we also work to prevent goods from leaving the country when doing so would violate U.S. law and/or sanctions.”
Federal authorities said that they will continue to target shipments that they believe violate U.S. export controls, and stressed that their actions are not aimed at humanitarian aid toward the Cuban people.
They also said that exporters must do their due diligence on the entities that they do business with, as federal agents will be aware.
“Those who seek to undermine U.S. law, who finance, facilitate, or benefit from such efforts should be on notice,” said Figueroa.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials warned that violators will pay the price.
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