​The country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has confirmed that a Russian-owned vessel – a Super Yacht named Alfa Nero – was searched Saturday at Falmouth Harbour, in a multi-agency operation led by the ONDCP, and supported by the Police, the Defence Force and the Customs Department. 

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement released Saturday afternoon that the yacht and its Russian owner, Andrey Guryev, are on sanctions lists issued by the US, the UK and the European Union (EU). 

The vessel, the statement said, that the ship has been moored in Falmouth since March, as all local companies were advised not to transact any business with anyone appearing on the sanction’s lists”. 

This, of course, followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

According to the document, “on August 12, the US government sought Antigua and Barbuda’s assistance – under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) – to conduct a search of the vessel and to interview its crew”. 

According to the facts of the case the matter, a request was reviewed by the Attorney.

General and the Director of Public Prosecutions, and discussions were held with the US officials, and an application was made to the High Court in that regard. 

The statement explained that an order was then granted for the vessel to be boarded, for relevant material to be seized, and for the crew to be questioned. 

The Ministry disclosed that – “while the operation was entirely locally-led – a request for observation from the FBI was granted”. 

It added that further information regarding the search operation will be released as appropriate.