In a joint operation, the Estonian Tax and Customs Board’s Investigation Department (ETCB), along with the police and the navy, detained the Bahamian-flagged container ship “Baltic Spirit” in Estonian internal waters. The vessel may have been involved in smuggling goods from Ecuador.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that drugs may have been on board.
A special police unit, K-Commando, boarded the vessel, after which it was detained for customs inspection as part of state supervision.
The vessel’s crew offered no resistance.
To board the container ship, K-Commando used a helicopter from the PPA air squadron and the naval vessel “Raju.” The operation was also supported by the naval vessel Admiral Cowan and the national navy pilot boat Ahto-26. The Estonian Transport Administration also participated in the operation.
The vessel was en route from Ecuador to St. Petersburg. It entered Estonian waters for bunkering. During the initial customs inspection, the vessel was at its official anchorage. According to information available to the Estonian Navy, this vessel is not a Russian shadow fleet vessel or one subject to EU sanctions.