Sweden releases Russian cargo ship tied to North Korean arms trade

The vessel is now free to leave Swedish waters.

Marinetraffic (the service tracking maritime movement) data indicated late on Dec. 21 that the Russian vessel began moving northwest under escort from a Swedish Coast Guard ship.

Information about the cargo on board has not been disclosed. Swedish customs officials said the details are confidential.

“The vessel did not intend to enter Sweden, but now goods from third countries have ended up in Sweden, so we need to check their status,” said Martin Norell of the Swedish Customs Agency before the inspection.

On the evening of Dec. 21, the case was handed over to prosecutors, who decided not to launch a preliminary investigation into suspected sanctions violations.

Overnight on Dec. 21, Swedish customs officers and military personnel boarded the Russian Adler cargo ship. The ship’s owner is part of a supply chain involved in exporting weapons to Russia. The vessel had dropped anchor near Höganäs after experiencing an engine malfunction on Saturday.

The nighttime operation was led by the Customs Agency, which requested assistance from the Coast Guard.

The Adler was traveling north through the Öresund Strait when the engine problems occurred. After issuing a distress signal on Dec. 20 morning, the vessel anchored. It is owned by the Russian company M Leasing LLC, sanctioned by both the U.S. and EU. Available information indicates that ships operated by the company transport North Korean ammunition, which Russia then uses in its war against Ukraine.

This inspection is one of several similar actions carried out this year in EU waters in response to suspected Russian hybrid activities or weapons trafficking.