Markenzy Lapointe U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida
The U.S. Department of Justice has announced the seizure of a Dassault Falcon 2000EX aircraft by Dominican Republic authorities. The aircraft, utilized by Venezuela's state-owned oil and natural gas company Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), was seized at the request of the U.S. government due to violations of U.S. export control and sanctions laws.
U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida stated, "The seizure of the Dassault Falcon 2000EX aircraft provides yet another example of this office’s commitment to enforcing America’s export control laws against Venezuelan-owned PdVSA and other sanctioned entities." He emphasized asset forfeiture as a significant tool in combating criminal activities.
Devin DeBacker, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, highlighted that using American-made parts for servicing aircraft operated by sanctioned entities like PdVSA is unacceptable. He affirmed that the Justice Department would continue efforts to safeguard national security by disrupting schemes violating sanctions and export control laws.
Acting Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Kevin J. Kurland from the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security remarked on the effectiveness of sanctions and export control laws, stating that they have tangible consequences.
Edwin F. Lopez, Homeland Security Investigations Santo Domingo Country Attaché, noted HSI's commitment to enforcing these laws globally. He credited collaboration with partners in preventing violations designed to protect national security and foreign policy interests.
The incident traces back to Executive Order 13884 issued by President Trump in August 2019, which prohibits transactions involving PdVSA by U.S. persons. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control identified several aircraft as blocked property under this order.
An investigation revealed that PdVSA purchased the Dassault Falcon 2000EX in July 2017 from the United States before exporting it to Venezuela where it was registered under tail number YV-3360. Despite being identified as blocked property post-sanctions imposition, it was maintained using U.S.-origin parts like brake assemblies and flight management computers.
A public statement from OFAC indicated that since January 2019, this aircraft transported Venezuelan Oil Minister Manuel Salvador Quevedo Fernandez and other senior Maduro regime members on various occasions.
This case follows a previous September 2024 announcement regarding another Dassault Falcon 900EX seizure related to Nicolás Maduro Moros in the Dominican Republic.
The investigation is led by BIS Miami Field Office with support from HSI Santo Domingo while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jorge Delgado and Joshua Paster handle legal proceedings alongside Trial Attorney Ahmed Almudallal from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence Section.
Significant assistance came from Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and HSI El Dorado Task Force Miami with appreciation extended towards Dominican Republic's cooperation in this matter.
In forfeiture proceedings, proving forfeitability rests upon the government.
