US seizes 90 biodiesel shipments bound for Cuba
Homeland Security Investigations Miami and HSI Houston, working with Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, seized 90 biodiesel fuel shipments valued at over $2.8 million.
These shipments were part of an attempt to unlawfully export fuel to Cuba in violation of federal export laws.
HSI Miami, HSI Houston, CBP and BIS developed information indicating that the Cuban government used Enetec S.A. to receive fuel illegally exported from the United States.
In early September, CBP, through coordinated intelligence and trade-data analysis, identified shipments of biodiesel fuel being illegally exported from the United States, specifically from Port Everglades and the Port of Houston to Enetec S.A in Cuba.
HSI Miami and HSI Houston, in coordination with CBP and BIS, requested the detention of these shipments.
A total of 71 shipments containing approximately 496,000 gallons of biodiesel fuel at Port Everglades were seized and 19 additional shipments containing approximately 119,000 gallons at the Port of Houston are currently being detained.
HSI requested the seizure of the shipments based on suspected violations of federal export laws, including exportation contrary to law, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and regulations governing merchandise subject to the export-administration regulations.
“This seizure underscores HSI Miami’s commitment to stopping fuel and other goods from the United States from being illegally exported to Cuba through sanctioned entities or deceptive commercial networks,” said HSI Miami Special Agent in Charge Jose R. Figueroa. “Working with our federal partners, we will continue to identify, disrupt and investigate efforts to evade U.S. sanctions, protect the integrity of U.S. export controls and deny the Cuban government access to resources obtained in violation of U.S. law.”
Daniel Alonso, the director of field operations, added, “U.S. Customs and Border Protection is steadfast in enforcing the laws of the United States across all domains, encompassing both incoming commerce and outbound shipments. Through vigilant outbound operations, our officers successfully intercepted these shipments and took appropriate action. Trade enforcement is a collaborative mission—by working closely with the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the Department of Commerce, Homeland Security Investigations and our federal partners, we ensure that commercial shipments comply with U.S. sanctions and export laws, safeguarding our national security and foreign-policy interests.”
Jeremy Shein, the special agent in charge for BIS Miami, said, “The Bureau of Industry and Security is aggressively enforcing our export control laws, including with respect to Cuba, and this will continue.”
HSI Miami, HSI Houston, CBP and BIS continue to investigate the matter.
