The U.S. Department of Justice has announced the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's aircraft.

An investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) located the plane in the Dominican Republic, a source revealed.

Following the U.S. government's seizure of the plane, it was flown to Florida on Monday, according to a source. The source confirmed Maduro was not on board.

The plane is the Venezuelan equivalent of Air Force One, identified as a Dassault 900 according to flight records.

"This morning, the Justice Department confiscated an aircraft that we believe was purchased unlawfully for $13 million through a front company and secretly transported out of the United States for the use of Nicolás Maduro and his associates," Attorney General Merrick Garland stated. "The Department will continue to pursue those who breach our sanctions and export controls to prevent them from utilizing American resources to undermine the national security of the United States."

The head HSI agent in Miami also lauded the seizure.

"This seizure of the aircraft represents another significant step taken by Homeland Security Investigations, in cooperation with our domestic and international partners, to counter the illegal actions of the Maduro regime," stated Anthony Salisbury, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami.

Earlier, a spokesperson from the U.S. National Security Council confirmed the seizure of "an aircraft used by Maduro and his representatives."

"Over the past month, as evidenced by a wide array of independent sources, Maduro and his representatives have manipulated the results of the July 28 presidential election, falsely claimed victory, and engaged in widespread repression to maintain their hold on power through force," the spokesperson said.

"Last week, one of Venezuela's own National Electoral Council officials further confirmed that Maduro has not provided any evidence supporting his claim of victory in the election. The United States, in collaboration with our allies, is committed to upholding the will of the Venezuelan people, as expressed in the July 28 election," the spokesperson stated.

"Today, the U.S. Department of Justice took action to enforce U.S. sanctions by seizing an aircraft used by Maduro and his associates. This move is a crucial step in ensuring that Maduro faces the consequences of his mismanagement of Venezuela," the spokesperson said.

CNN was the first to report the plane's seizure.