The US has seized a plane belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, claiming it was bought illegally for $13m and smuggled out of the country.

According to BBC News, the US justice department says the Falcon 900EX aircraft was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to the US state of Florida.

US officials say the plane was seized for suspected violations of US export control and sanctions laws.

They added that an investigation found that people affiliated with Mr Maduro had allegedly used a Caribbean-based shell company to hide their involvement in the plane’s illegal purchase from a company based in Florida in late 2022 and early 2023.

There was no immediate comment from Mr Maduro over the matter.