Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Dassault Falcon 900, 900B, 900C, 900DX, 900EX, 900EX EASy, and 900LX

Chad Trautvetter

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday 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 AIN’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.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

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

Agency said the trijet was exported in violation of sanctions laws

The U.S. Department of Justice seized a Dassault Falcon 900EX that it claims was owned and operated for the benefit of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro Moros.

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

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Kerry Lynch

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