Charter & Fractional
French Falcon Involved in Dominican Drug Bust

At press time a French-operated Falcon 50 was grounded in the Dominican Republic, according to a TV report by France’s TF1, after it was involved in a major drug bust in Punta Cana in March. The Dominican counter-drug police discovered about 1,500 pounds of cocaine (with a street value of approximately $26 million) packed in 26 suitcases placed in the hold and the cabin. The three French pilots and one French passenger were arrested just before takeoff, with the engines already running for a departure to Saint-Tropez Airport, France, according to TF1. All four people were jailed.

Owned by French eyeglass manufacturing entrepreneur Alain Afflelou, F-GXMC was being operated by Lyon Bron Airport-based Aerojet Corporate, a resurgence of now-defunct THS.