Legal

Singaporean wanted by FBI jailed 2.5 years over DPRK gasoil shipment

Kwek Kee Seng, who had a USD 5 million bounty on his whereabouts, pleaded guilty to three counts of flouting UN sanctions, one count for receiving the criminal benefits and another for obstructing the course of justice.

Published

3 months ago

April 9, 2026

Admin

Singaporean wanted by FBI jailed 2.5 years over DPRK gasoil shipment

Singaporean Kwek Kee Seng, who had a USD 5 million bounty offered by the US government on his whereabouts, was sentenced to 30 months’ jail and fined SGD 80,000 for his involvement in the shipment of gasoil, a prohibited export item, to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

According to The Straits Times on Tuesday (7 April), Kwek pleaded guilty to three counts of flouting UN sanctions, one count for receiving the criminal benefits and another for obstructing the course of justice.

Kwek was involved in a 2019 scheme to supply more than 12,000 metric tonnes (mt) of gas oil to North Korea, despite knowing such transactions were prohibited under international sanctions. In total, the fuel shipments were worth about USD 6.9 million.

The court heard that Kwek played a key role, helping Taiwanese parties arrange vessels, source the oil supplier and coordinate ship-to-ship transfers. He also relayed instructions to ship captains and reviewed reports prepared by them, all while operating remotely.

He used his companies, including Swanseas Port Services and Anfasar Trading, to facilitate payments and logistics linked to the operation.

The scheme eventually drew international attention with the FBI offering a USD 5 million reward for information on Kwek in 2021.

In sentencing, the court said Kwek played a “significant” coordinating role, linking multiple parties involved in the illicit network, even though he was not the mastermind.

Photo credit: U.S. Department of State
Published: 9 April, 2026

Related Topics:Legal - Crime Legal - Sanctions

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Name of Company : Nan Shan Maritime (Pte.) Ltd.(In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)
Unique Entity No. / Registration No. : 201701967H
Address of Registered Office : 10 Anson Road, #10-10, International Plaza, Singapore 079903
Amount per centum : 5.00 Per Centum of all admitted unsecured, claims
First and Final or Otherwise : Third Interim
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A notice of dividend for Selco (Shipyard) Pte Limited, which is currently in compulsory liquidation, was published on the Government Gazette on Friday (10 July).

The following are the details of the notice:

Name of Company : Selco (Shipyard) Pte Limited (In Compulsory Liquidation) Co. Reg. No. 196800580K
Address of Registered Office : 7 Straits View, Marina One East Tower, Level 12, Singapore 018936
Court : High Court of the Republic of Singapore
Number of Matter : Companies Winding Up No.: 125 of 1986
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Malaysia: MMEA detains tugboat with undocumented 10,000 litres of diesel in Kuala Langat

Inspection found MYR 5,000 in cash on the vessel and 10,000 litres of diesel, of which the skipper failed to present any document or permit authorising the transport of the diesel fuel.

Published

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July 13, 2026

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Malaysia: MMEA detains tugboat with undocumented 10,000 litres of diesel in Kuala Langat

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Friday (10 July) said it detained a tugboat during an enforcement operation in Selangor waters.

Selangor MMEA director Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the vessel was detained at about 6.35am at about 4.7 nautical miles 0.1 nautical miles from the estuary of Sungai Langat, Kuala Langat.

He said the initial inspection found that the vessel in question was operated by a 44-year-old skipper along with a 23-year-old crew member, both Indonesian nationals.

Further inspection found that the vessel did not have a mandatory insurance coverage, including the Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC).

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“The skipper also failed to present any document or permit authorising the transport of the diesel fuel, raising suspicions regarding the ownership of the controlled items.”

The tugboat and both crew members were brought to the Pulau Indah Marine Police Force jetty before they were handed over to the Selangor MMEA for further action.

He added that the case is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Control of Supplies Act 1961, and the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952.

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 13 July, 2026