Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

US seizes private jet linked to Venezuelan President

POSTED ON September 3, 2024 •   TECHNOLOGY      BY Benedicta Bassey
Private jet reportedly linked to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro/ Photo credit: Uzalendo News

The United States has seized a private jet reportedly linked to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

According to the States, the jet was acquired illegally and smuggled out of the country; a violation to the U.S. laws.

The plane, a Falcon 900EX, was confiscated in the Dominican Republic and flown to Florida, according to the U.S. Department of Justice in a statement.

Attorney General Merrick Garland, said, “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.

“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.”

Authorities alleged that the jet, valued at $13 million, was purchased through a Caribbean-based shell company to conceal Maduro’s involvement.

The transaction, conducted in late 2022 and early 2023, allegedly breached U.S. export controls and sanctions, the statement was quoted as saying.

The aircraft was then illicitly exported from the U.S. to Venezuela via the Caribbean in April 2023.

“According to the U.S. investigation, in late 2022 and early 2023, persons 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 at the time was valued at approximately $13 million) 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 to transport Maduro on visits to other countries,” the department explained.

It was gathered that the jet has reportedly been used almost exclusively for trips to and from a Venezuelan military base.

The U.S. also claims that Maduro used the jet for official visits abroad.

The seizure is part of the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to hold Maduro and his affiliates accountable.

In the statement, the White House National Security Council described the action as “an important step” in ensuring that Maduro faces consequences for his administration’s actions.

The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Markenzy Lapointe, said the Dominican Republic authorities had given the US government “invaluable assistance” in organising the seizure.

READ ALSO
NCC, REA Forge Partnership to Enhance Rural Connectivity and Energy Solutions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 3, 2025 0

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have officia...

READ ALSO
Microsoft Cuts 4% of Workforce Amid AI Investment Strategy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 2, 2025 0

Microsoft is set to lay off nearly 4% of its workforce, impacting around 9,000 employees across diff...

READ ALSO
Elon Musk's Robotaxi Ambitions Take Off in Austin amid Controversy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 22, 2025 0

Tesla is set to start its robotaxi service in Austin on Sunday, a move that supporters of Elon Musk...

READ ALSO
Tanzania,  Nigeria Lead Africa in Rising Fraud Rates- Report
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

Tanzania and Nigeria have emerged as the leading countries in Africa for higher fraud rates, accordi...

READ ALSO
OpenAI Secures $200m Contract with US Department of Defense
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 17, 2025 0

The US Department of Defense on Monday awarded OpenAI a $200 million contract to utilize generative...

READ ALSO
60,000 Nigerians Abroad Register on Diaspora Data Mapping Portal
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 3, 2025 0

Approximately 60,000 Nigerians residing overseas have registered on the Diaspora Data Mapping Portal...

READ ALSO
Federal Ministry Unveils Digital Village to Bridge Digital Divide in Abuja Community
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has launched a Digital Villag...

READ ALSO
FG Unveils Project CNG-SPROUT to Revolutionize Campus Transport with Clean Energy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

The federal government has launched a transportation initiative called "Project CNG-SPROUT," designe...

OUR CHANNELS:

Obama’s Debunk Report on Divorce
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 18, 2025 0

Former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, have put to rest rumors regarding their m...


Bayelsa Govt. Cautions Principal Officers on Pension Delay
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 18, 2025 0

The Bayelsa State Government has cautioned principal officers of local government councils to avoid...


NLC Decries Nigeria's Poor Labor Rights Record as National Disgrace
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 18, 2025 0

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its worries about the nation's inadequate performanc...


Israeli Strike Hits Catholic Church in Gaza, Killing Two Civilians
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 18, 2025 0

An Israeli airstrike on Gaza's sole Catholic Church resulted in the deaths of two individuals on Thu...


SSC Napoli Completes €25 Million Deal for Noa Lang from PSV
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 17, 2025 0

Serie A champions Napoli confirmed on Thursday that they have signed Dutch forward Noa Lang from PSV...


Civil Defence Board Temporarily Closes Recruitment Portal for System Enhancements
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 17, 2025 0

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has temporarily closed its recr...


Nigeria Should Aim for 60,000 Megawatts of Power Generation- Dangote
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 18, 2025 0

President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, argues that Nigeria's low electricity generati...


FG Denies Emergence of New Terrorist Groups Amid Turkish Warnings
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 17, 2025 0

The Federal Government On Wednesday, stated that no new terrorist groups have emerged in the country...


151 Senior Police Officers Face Misconduct Hearings- NPF
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 18, 2025 0

The Nigeria Police Force has revealed that 151 senior officers are currently undergoing proceedings...


CPC Loyalists Face Uncertain Future Amid Buhari's Death, Tinubu's Leadership
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 18, 2025 0

The passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari has sparked renewed speculation regarding the polit...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu