Cuban Customs Cracks Down on Money Smuggling Cases
The head of the General Customs of the Republic (AGR), Nelson Cordovés Reyes, recently addressed the issue of money smuggling in Cuba during a discussion on the Round Table. Cordovés Reyes highlighted the common occurrence of individuals attempting to export medicines insured in the country and violating regulations set by the Central Bank of Cuba regarding the amount of money permitted to be taken out of the country.
According to Resolution No. 124/2020 of the Central Bank of Cuba (BCC), individuals are allowed to freely export up to 5,000 US dollars (5000 USD) or its equivalent in other Freely Convertible Currencies (MLC) when leaving the country. Authorization from the BCC president is required for larger amounts. The same regulations apply to Cuban pesos, with the export and import of sums not exceeding five thousand Cuban pesos allowed.
In 2022, Cuban Customs detected 233 infractions related to money smuggling, resulting in the seizure of 5 million 33,000 pesos in national currency and 420,000 dollars. So far in 2024, 135 violations have been identified, with 3.2 million CUP and 91,000 USD exceeding the legal limit. Cordovés Reyes emphasized that this trend is on the rise, and Customs is working diligently to combat it.
One recent high-profile case related to money smuggling involves Mirtza Ocana, a Cuban-American who was charged by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Tampa with two counts of money smuggling. Ocana was apprehended upon returning from Cuba with over $102,000 in cash that was not declared to US authorities. It was revealed that she charged a commission of between 1,000 and 2,500 dollars per trip and made 45 flights to Cuba since May 2023. The case has sparked concerns about the origin of the money and how Cuban authorities failed to detect it.
As Cuban Customs continues to crack down on money smuggling cases, it is crucial for individuals to adhere to the regulations set by the Central Bank to avoid legal repercussions.