U.S. seizes nearly $3 million in biodiesel bound for sanctioned Cuban fuel dealer

Federal authorities have confiscated 90 biodiesel shipments valued at nearly $3 million that were headed for ENETEC S.A., a Havana fuel wholesaler sanctioned by the Treasury in July. Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security traced the cargo to departures from Port Everglades, Florida and the Port of Houston, Texas, seizing 71 storage tanks containing roughly 500,000 gallons at Everglades and 19 containers with about 120,000 gallons at Houston.

The interdictions were based on intelligence indicating breaches of recent U.S. export restrictions and alleged violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and Export Administration Regulations. No exporters have been publicly identified or charged yet. HSI Miami Special Agent in Charge Jose Figueroa said the agency will keep working with partners to disrupt sanction evasion, while CBP’s Daniel Alonso emphasized the commitment to enforce U.S. laws on outbound shipments. The operation builds on recent Coast Guard actions that stopped the cargo vessel Grace and earlier seized the Jaira Provider, both carrying fuel bound for Cuba amid the island’s chronic energy shortages.