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Estonia Stops Russia-Bound Ship on Smuggling Suspicions
Estonian authorities detained the 188-meter Baltic Spirit on smuggling suspicions linked to South American cargo; 50 officials participated in the operation, authorities said.
- On February 3, 2026, Estonian authorities boarded and detained the container ship Baltic Spirit in internal waters, citing reason to believe it may have been used for smuggling.
- The vessel was traveling from Ecuador to St. Petersburg and entered Estonian waters for bunkering, with a 23-member crew of Russian Federation citizens and no Estonian nationals aboard.
- About 50 personnel from multiple agencies supported the operation, with K-Commando boarding by helicopter while navy vessels Raju and Admiral Cowan, pilot boat Ahto, and a PPA rescue helicopter secured the sea and air.
- MTA investigators are carrying out initial inspections on board, and the ship will later be directed to port for fuller checks due to the large number of containers aboard Baltic Spirit; the crew did not resist.
- K-Commando head Marek Aas said information about the ship came from the Tax and Customs Board and he dismissed links to sanctions violations or the shadow fleet; the investigation will clarify whether drugs were on board.
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The ship named Baltic Spirit was en route from Ecuador to St. Petersburg, Russia.
·Finland
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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.
·India
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Estonian authorities on Tuesday afternoon detained a Bahamian-flagged ship heading from Ecuador to St. Petersburg, Russia, Estonian public broadcaster ERR reported, citing links to possible smuggling to Russia.
On suspicion of smuggling.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left5Leaning Right1Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 40%
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