A series of images released by the U.S. State Department appear to show North Korea engaged in illicit ship-to-ship transfers of petroleum earlier this year.<br />The nine images reveal hoses connecting tankers,... engaging in what the State Department called "UN-prohibited ship-to-ship transfers of refined petroleum to North Korean ships."<br />It added that U.S. deployed aircraft and surface vessels used to detect and disrupt such activities caught them on camera.<br />The State Department again, stressed the need for further sanctions, reiterating its commitment to the "final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea." <br />