US Justice Department confirms seizure of Venezuelan president's plane

(Patria) - The US Justice Department has confirmed that the United States has seized the plane of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, TASS reported.

"The Justice Department announced today the seizure of a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft owned and operated for the benefit of Nicolas Maduro Moros and individuals associated with him in Venezuela," the agency's statement said.

"The plane was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to the Southern District of Florida at the request of the United States for violations of US export control and sanctions laws," they added.

"The Justice Department has seized a plane that we claim was illegally purchased for thirteen
million dollars through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolas Maduro and his friends," said Attorney General Merrick Garland in a statement.

CNN first reported on the seizure of the plane.