The United States has confiscated an aircraft utilized by Nicolás Maduro Moros for breaching U.S. export control and sanctions regulations.

The Justice Department has announced the confiscation of a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft that was owned and operated for the benefit of Nicolás Maduro Moros and his associates in Venezuela. This aircraft was seized in the Dominican Republic and subsequently transferred to the Southern District of Florida at the request of the United States, due to violations of U.S. export control and sanctions regulations

Ad1

1. On behalf of the Government of Venezuela, including as a participant in the Maduro regime, actions have been taken indirectly. To safeguard U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives, the Department of Commerce has enacted export controls on items that are intended, wholly or partially, for use by Venezuelan military or military-intelligence entities. Ad2 The U.S. investigation indicates that in late 2022 and early 2023, individuals associated with Maduro reportedly utilized a shell company based in the Caribbean to obscure their role in the unlawful acquisition of a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft, which was valued at approximately $13 million at that time, from a firm located in the Southern District of Florida. Subsequently, in April 2023, the aircraft was illicitly exported from the United States to Venezuela via the Caribbean. Since May 2023, the Dassault Falcon, identified by tail number T7-ESPRT, has predominantly operated flights to and from a military installation in Venezuela, serving the interests of Maduro and his associates, including facilitating Maduro's travel to other nations. 

Ad2

 The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce in Miami, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Dorado Task Force in Miami. 

Ad3

 The case is being managed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Paster and Jorge Delgado from the Southern District of Florida, along with Trial Attorney Ahmed Almudallal from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and HSI in Santo Domingo have provided substantial support in coordinating with authorities in the Dominican Republic. The United States expresses its gratitude to the Dominican Republic for its cooperation in this matter.

Ad4

  In a forfeiture proceeding, the responsibility to establish forfeitability lies with the government.

Ad5