Taskin Torlak, a Turkish businessman, has been charged with running a sophisticated scheme that helped Venezuela’s sanctioned state-owned oil company, PDVSA, smuggle oil. He was arrested last week while attempting to flee the U.S.
According to U.S. prosecutors, Torlak and his associates orchestrated a network to bypass U.S. sanctions on PDVSA, facilitating the illegal transport of Venezuelan oil. The operation involved multiple deceptive tactics, such as altering ship names and flags, disabling tracking systems, and falsifying shipping documents. In exchange for these services, Torlak’s company was reportedly paid at least $32 million by PDVSA.
Documents from the U.S. Department of Justice revealed the extent of the operation. Ships carrying Venezuelan crude were disguised and their tracking devices turned off, creating obstacles for authorities trying to monitor the illicit trade. Torlak and his team also used “clean” ships—vessels that had never traded with sanctioned entities—to move the oil.
Torlak faces serious charges, including money laundering and violating U.S. sanctions. He is accused of exploiting the U.S. banking system to move funds linked to these illicit transactions.
The investigation highlights ships like the M/T Mirame, whose identification was deliberately concealed during oil shipments from Venezuela. Other vessels, like the M/T Gracy, carried Venezuelan crude while avoiding scrutiny by using false shipping records and Russian insurance.
Torlak, the son of a former Turkish lawmaker, is believed to have used his family’s shipping expertise to orchestrate the smuggling operation. Despite global sanctions on PDVSA, Torlak’s efforts helped keep the illegal oil trade running.
