The United States has initiated a civil forfeiture complaint in the Southern District of Florida against a Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft, tail number T7-ESPRT. The aircraft was allegedly smuggled from the U.S. under false pretenses and operated for Nicolás Maduro Moros and his representatives in Venezuela, violating U.S. sanctions and export control laws. The aircraft was seized last year in the Dominican Republic at the request of the U.S.
The complaint claims that the Dassault Falcon 900 EX was purchased and maintained contrary to U.S. sanctions against Maduro and his regime. It states that the aircraft is subject to forfeiture due to violations of U.S. law, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and money laundering statutes.
Since 2014, U.S. sanctions have targeted individuals, entities, and sectors in Venezuela to address political oppression and corruption by Maduro's regime. On March 8, 2015, a national emergency was declared concerning Venezuela's threat to U.S. national security under IEEPA via Executive Order (E.O.) 13692.
Further steps were taken in subsequent years regarding this national emergency declaration. On August 5, 2019, E.O. 13884 was issued "in light of the continued usurpation of power by Nicolás Maduro," human rights abuses, interference with freedom of expression, and attempts to undermine Interim President Juan Guaidó.
E.O. 13884 prohibits transactions involving blocked property interests associated with the Venezuelan government or Maduro's regime.
The complaint details that on January 23, 2023, a company based in St. Vincent and the Grenadines entered into a contract to purchase the Dassault Falcon for $13,250,000 from a Florida company. The individual responsible for purchasing on behalf of this company concealed their association with Maduro's regime.
It alleges that funds used for purchasing were transferred from multiple countries using different currencies while communications were conducted using an email domain from UAE despite Spanish names being involved.
On April 3, 2023, it is alleged that the aircraft flew from the U.S. to St. Vincent before departing for Caracas with members of Venezuela’s Presidential Honor Guard piloting it alongside another military-operated plane.
Since May 2023 until its seizure later that year in September upon returning from maintenance work abroad – during which ownership was misrepresented –the aircraft reportedly made over twenty flights between Venezuela as well as transporting Maduro internationally including during December’s prisoner exchange negotiations with America
Attempts were made twice during May last year by Venezuelans linked militarily trying reclaiming said jet prior its eventual handover back stateside after seizure warrant issuance thanks cooperation efforts involving Dominican authorities where detained initially
Another similar model belonging Petroleos de Venezuela S.A., identified OFAC block listed illegal servicing also apprehended there earlier February current annum likewise prompted Washington requests enforcement action
Investigation led Department Commerce Bureau Industry Security Miami Field Office together Homeland Security Investigations Santo Domingo
Case management falls under Assistant Attorneys Joshua Paster Jorge Delgado Southern District Florida plus Trial Attorney Ahmed Almudallal National Security Division Counterintelligence Export Control Section involvement too alongside Justice Department International Affairs HSI El Dorado Task Force Miami contributing significantly toward achieving successful outcome herein
Gratitude expressed towards Dominican Republic invaluable support rendered throughout proceedings thus far related ongoing matter