[maquiladora]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The United States suspects a North Korean merchant ship that recently left port may be carrying equipment banned by just-passed United Nations sanctions, two U.S. officials have told CNN Thursday.

One U.S. military official said the ship had been known in the past to carry military equipment, but that the U.S. had no idea of the nature of its current cargo.

The ship left a port southwest of the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A second official with access to U.S. intelligence confirmed the ship had left port and was being tracked, but cautioned he was not aware of any evidence the ship was carrying contraband.

"It's not necessarily nefarious," the second official said.

Officials said it was unlikely the U.S. would attempt to board or inspect the ship on the high seas, because it had no evidence it was violating U.N. sanctions banning the export of material that could be used to make weapons of mass destruction.

But one official suggested the U.S. government would likely press for a full inspection of the ship's cargo once it puts into port.

[JimSEA]

one official suggested the U.S. government would likely press for a full inspection of the ship's cargo once it puts into port

All speed ahead for the Persian Gulf and the "Mother" of all confrontations.

[Graymatter]

"It's not necessarily nefarious," the second official said.

Alliteration! I love alliteration! North by Nefarious it is!