The United States seized a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft allegedly used by Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and his associates, the US Department of Justice announced in a press release on Monday.
The aircraft, with an estimated value of $13 million and purportedly purchased through a shell company, was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to the Southern District of Florida due to violations of U.S. export control and sanctions laws. It was illicitly exported from the United States to benefit Maduro and his associates, according to the press release.
“The Department will continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls to prevent them from using American resources to undermine the national security of the United States,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said confirming the seizure.
“Let this seizure send a clear message: aircraft illegally acquired from the United States for the benefit of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot just fly off into the sunset,” Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce stated, highlighting the department’s commitment to working relentlessly with global partners to prevent such violations.
In August 2019, the US President signed Executive Order 13884, banning transactions between US individuals and parties acting on behalf of the Venezuelan government, including members of the Maduro regime. The Department of Commerce has also implemented export controls on items destined for the Venezuelan military or intelligence services, to protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.
However, in late 2022 and early 2023, individuals associated with Maduro used a shell company to purchase a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft from a firm based in Florida. The aircraft, bearing the tail number T7-ESPRT, was illicitly exported to Venezuela in April 2023.
It has primarily been utilized for flights to and from a Venezuelan military base, conferring benefits upon Maduro and his companions since May 2023, according to the Justice Department, citing a US investigation.
The Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security Miami Field Office is leading the case investigation in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Dorado Task Force Miami.