United States Seizes Aircraft Used by Nicolás Maduro Moros for Violating U.S. Export Control and Sanctions Laws

 The Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft was illegally exported from the United States and used to benefit Nicolás Maduro and his representatives.

The Justice Department today announced the seizure of a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft owned and operated for the benefit of Nicolás Maduro Moros and his affiliates in Venezuela. The aircraft was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to the Southern District of Florida at the United States' request due to violations of U.S. export control and sanctions laws.

u.s airplane

"This morning, the Justice Department seized an aircraft that we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for the use of Nicolás Maduro and his associates," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. "The Department will continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls, ensuring that American resources are not used to undermine the national security of the United States."

"Let this seizure send a clear message: aircraft illegally acquired from the United States for the benefit of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot simply fly off into the sunset," said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce. "No matter how luxurious the private jet or how powerful the officials, we will work relentlessly with our partners here and around the world to identify and recover any aircraft illegally smuggled out of the United States."

"The United States' seizure of the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft underscores our unwavering commitment to enforcing U.S. export control laws and imposing sanctions for any violations," said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. "This successful seizure was the result of meticulous planning, coordination, and execution by the United States government, with invaluable support from authorities in the Dominican Republic. Our office, alongside our law enforcement partners, will continue efforts to forfeit this plane and any other assets that circumvent the law."

"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. "This operation highlights HSI's global reach and our continued commitment to enforcing U.S. sanctions and stopping the flow of illicit proceeds generated by high-level foreign public corruption."

In August 2019, the President issued Executive Order 13884, prohibiting U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with individuals who have acted, or purported to act, directly or indirectly, on behalf of the Government of Venezuela, including members of the Maduro regime. To protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, the Department of Commerce has also imposed export controls on items intended, wholly or partly, for a Venezuelan military or military-intelligence end user.

According to the U.S. investigation, in late 2022 and early 2023, individuals affiliated with Maduro allegedly used a Caribbean-based shell company to conceal their involvement in the illegal purchase of the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft, which was valued at approximately $13 million at the time, from a company based in the Southern District of Florida. The aircraft was then illegally exported from the United States to Venezuela through the Caribbean in April 2023. Since May 2023, the Dassault Falcon, bearing tail number T7-ESPRT, has flown almost exclusively to and from a military base in Venezuela and has been used for the benefit of Maduro and his representatives, including transporting Maduro on international visits.

The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security Miami Field Office is investigating the case, along with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Dorado Task Force Miami.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Paster and Jorge Delgado for the Southern District of Florida, along with Trial Attorney Ahmed Almudallal of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, are handling the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and HSI in Santo Domingo provided significant assistance in working with authorities in the Dominican Republic. The United States expresses its gratitude to the Dominican Republic for its assistance in this matter.

The government bears the burden of proving forfeiture in a forfeiture proceeding.