US EditionEstonia detains ship heading for Russia suspected of smuggling
Estonian authorities detained the 188-meter Baltic Spirit on smuggling suspicion; 50 officials involved in an ongoing customs inspection of its containers, authorities said.
- On February 3, 2026, the K-Commando unit boarded and detained the Bahamas-flagged Baltic Spirit near Naissaar to enable customs control, according to Estonian authorities.
- The Tax and Customs Board said there is reason to believe the vessel may have been used for smuggling from South America, prompting inspection by MTA investigators.
- The operation involved about 50 personnel from Estonian agencies, supported at sea by navy vessels Raju and Admiral Cowan, State Fleet pilot boat Ahto, and air cover from a PPA rescue helicopter.
- The vessel was detained during state supervision so the MTA investigators are conducting initial procedures, and the 188-meter ship will initially remain at the anchorage before being directed to port.
- Tracking services show the Bahamas-flagged refrigerated vessel had travelled from Colombia and was sailing from Ecuador toward St. Petersburg, Russia, entering Estonian waters for bunkering.
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19 Articles
The Estonian authorities have boarded and detained an Bahamas-flagged freighter on his way to Russia on suspicion of smuggling from South America. The Tax and Customs Authority has confirmed in a communiqué the joint operation with the Police and Navy in Estonian territorial waters against the ship, which is linked to smuggling from Ecuador, although it is not sanctioned as part of the 'phantom float' that Russia uses to circumvent European sanc…
The ship named Baltic Spirit was en route from Ecuador to St. Petersburg, Russia.
Estonia Seizes Bahamian-Flagged Ship: Smuggling Under Investigation
The Estonian Tax and Customs Board has detained the Bahamian-flagged container ship Baltic Spirit for suspected smuggling activities. The ship was sailing from Ecuador to St. Petersburg, Russia. It was anchored near Tallinn for a customs inspection after special police forces boarded it.
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