A cargo ship part owned by a leader of the Northern Marianas has been seized amid allegations money is owed for the vessel.
The US Marshals Service seized the M/V Luta after its owners, including the CNMI's Lieutenant Governor, Victor Hocog, were sued by a Japanese investor for not paying back $US3.4 million owed.
Takahisa Yamamoto has filed a lawsuit in the federal court for the money he put up for the vessel.
Three deputy marshals, accompanied by Mr Yamamoto's counsel, George Lloyd Hasselback, boarded a small boat to serve the arrest order on a crewman of M/V Luta, which was at anchor off Saipan.
Mr Yamamoto is suing the owners for breach of contract, fraud, and unjust enrichment.
He has asked the court for the vessel to be condemned and sold to pay his demands, including interest and costs.
