Exclusive: US seizes Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro’s airplane in the Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic seizes plane linked to Venezuelan President Maduro

Authorities in the Dominican Republic have seized an airplane linked to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the United States Justice Department announced Tuesday.

The seizure was part of a joint operation between the United States and the Dominican Republic, according to the Justice Department. The plane, a Boeing 747, was impounded at the Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic.

The Justice Department said the plane was used to transport narcotics to the United States.

The plane's alleged role in drug trafficking

The Justice Department said the plane was owned by Emtrasur, a Venezuelan cargo airline that is allegedly controlled by the Venezuelan government.

The US Treasury Department designated Emtrasur as a Specially Designated Narcotics Trafficker (SDNT) in February 2022.

The Justice Department said the plane was used to transport drugs to the United States on multiple occasions.

The seizure of the plane

The seizure of the plane was the result of a joint investigation by the United States and the Dominican Republic.

The Justice Department said the investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The Dominican Republic's Attorney General's Office assisted in the investigation.

The implications of the seizure

The seizure of the plane is a significant development in the US government's efforts to combat drug trafficking.

The seizure also sends a strong message to the Venezuelan government that the US will not tolerate the use of its territory for drug trafficking.

The seizure of the plane is likely to further strain relations between the United States and Venezuela.