U.S. DOJ Seizes Venezuelan President Maduro's Falcon 900EX

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently seized Dassault Falcon 900EX S/N 007—registered as T7-ESPRT—that it claims was owned and operated for the benefit of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro Moros and persons affiliated with him. According to the DOJ, the trijet was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to the Southern District of Florida at the request of the U.S. “based on violations of U.S. export control and sanctions laws.”

“[Yesterday] 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,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “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 the U.S. investigation, in early 2023 persons affiliated with Maduro allegedly used a Caribbean-based shell company to conceal their involvement in the purchase of the 900EX from a company based in Florida. Sources told AIN that Six G Aviation of Lorida, an unincorporated community near Sebring, brokered the aircraft deal. Six G did not respond to BJT’s inquiries seeking to confirm this information.

According to the DOJ, the jet was then illegally exported from the U.S. to Venezuela through the Caribbean in April 2023. Since May 2023, 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 to transport Maduro on visits to other countries, the DOJ said.