Federal prosecutor Roger B. Handberg announced in a statement that Mirtza Ocaña, a 39-year-old resident of Tampa in Hillsborough County, pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges of smuggling over $100,000 into the United States and conspiracy to commit such smuggling. As a result of her guilty plea, Ocaña faces a potential maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Court documents reveal that Ocaña returned to the United States on February 5, 2024, on a flight from Cuba. When questioned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, she claimed she had no cash to declare. However, agents first discovered over $31,000 hidden in her luggage. In a further search, agents found an additional $71,300 in cash concealed in her clothing, bringing the total to approximately $102,700 hidden in her clothing and luggage.
Following the discovery, Ocaña admitted to regularly smuggling cash from Cuba to the United States for several months. She disclosed that she had been conducting these illicit activities two to three times a month since June 2023, earning between $1,000 and $2,500 per trip. The case has been investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Buchanan.
Denies Any Link to Alejandro Gil
In June, Ocaña's attorney, Juan C. Mercado, denied to journalist Wilfredo Cancio Isla that Mirtza Ocaña had any connection to the ousted former Minister of Economy and Planning, Alejandro Gil Fernández, who was removed from his position and accused of alleged corruption by the Cuban regime.
"There is absolutely nothing about that. This case has nothing to do with any Cuban government official, neither Mr. Gil nor anyone else," Mercado stated. He described any such linkage as "absurd" and suggested that the scandal was more appealing because of such unfounded connections.
Ocaña faces charges involving the smuggling of cash and conspiracy with an unidentified individual to transport, transfer, and illegally introduce money into the United States. Under U.S. law, anyone entering the country with more than $10,000 in cash must declare it. A review of her travel history revealed that Ocaña had visited Cuba 45 times since May 2023.
Key Questions About Cash Smuggling Case
Here we address some of the most pressing questions surrounding the case of Mirtza Ocaña and the charges against her for smuggling cash into the United States.
What are the consequences of Ocaña's guilty plea?
Ocaña faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison as a result of her guilty plea.
How much cash was Mirtza Ocaña found smuggling?
Ocaña was found smuggling approximately $102,700 in cash, hidden in her clothing and luggage.
How frequently did Ocaña smuggle cash from Cuba to the U.S.?
Ocaña admitted to smuggling cash two to three times a month since June 2023.
Is there any connection between Ocaña and former Cuban Minister Alejandro Gil Fernández?
Ocaña's attorney has denied any connection between her and Alejandro Gil Fernández, describing any such claims as baseless.