U.S. Cracks Down: $13 Million Jet Seized from Venezuelan President in High-Stakes Bust!
The U.S. seized a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft that was illegally exported to Venezuela for use by President Nicolás Maduro. 🌐 #News #WashingtonDC #DOJ #BreakingNews
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Justice on Monday announced the seizure of an aircraft they say was illegally purchased and smuggled out of the U.S. for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
“This morning, the Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolás Maduro and his cronies,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement.
“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.”
According to U.S. investigators, in late 2022 and early 2023, individuals affiliated with Maduro allegedly used a shell company based in the Caribbean to conceal their involvement in the illegal purchase of a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft from a company based in South Florida.
The aircraft was then illegally exported to Venezuela through the Caribbean in April 2023. Since May 2023, the aircraft, bearing tail number T7-ESPRT, has flown “almost exclusively” to and from a Venezuelan military base, including to transport Maduro on international trips.
“The United States’ seizure of the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft illustrates our unrelenting commitment to enforcing U.S. export control laws and imposing U.S. sanctions for any violations,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida.
“This successful seizure was the result of planning, coordination, and execution by the United States government, with invaluable assistance by the authorities in the Dominican Republic. Our office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to work to forfeit this plane and all other assets that circumvent the law.”
Executive Order 13884, issued in August 2019 by former President Donald Trump, prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with individuals who act directly or indirectly for or on behalf of the Government of Venezuela. The U.S. Department of Commerce further imposed export controls for items intended for the Venezuelan military or military intelligence.
“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,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce.
“It doesn’t matter how fancy the private jet or how powerful the officials — we will work relentlessly with our partners here and across the globe to identify and return any aircraft illegally smuggled outside of the United States.”
“The seizure of this aircraft is another significant action by Homeland Security Investigations working with our domestic and international partners against the illegal activities of the Maduro regime,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami.
“The efforts here highlight HSI’s global reach and our continued commitment to enforce US sanctions and stemming the flow of illicit proceeds being generated from high level foreign public corruption.”
Written by TMX staff, with additional reporting by Todd Johnson for JackAndKitty.com.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
We value your feedback! Did you find this article informative, inspiring, or thought-provoking? Leave a comment below and join the discussion. We appreciate your opinion and look forward to hearing from you!
