Confiscated Bell 505 helicopter of former President of El Salvador may join air force or police force

The Bell 505 helicopter, seized from former President Alfredo Cristiani of El Salvador, could be integrated into the Air Force or the Police Force.

Cristiani, who served as president from 1989 to 1994, has faced legal action for his alleged involvement in various crimes.

This includes the intellectual authorship of the murders of six Jesuit priests and two female employees committed by a military commando in 1989, as well as charges of illicit enrichment.

As part of the ongoing legal proceedings, a process of asset forfeiture or preventive seizure of properties and goods has been initiated, which includes the confiscation of the Bell 505 helicopter valued at approximately 1.3 million dollars.

The Prosecutor’s Office has yet to confirm whether the aircraft will be integrated into the fleet of the Salvadoran Air Force (FAS) or the Police Air Group (GAP), as it is customary for seized equipment to be allocated to these entities.

The total amount seized from Cristiani by the Public Prosecutor’s Office exceeds 85 million dollars, according to President Nayib Bukele’s statement on June 15.

The Police Air Group currently possesses at least two Robinson R44 Raven II helicopters, four-seater aircraft based on the Robinson R22 two-seater helicopter, featuring hydraulic controls.

The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X is a light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter in the United States.

It was unveiled at the Paris-Le Bourget International Air and Space Show in June 2013 under the name Bell SLS.