State Vehicle in Santiago de Cuba Found Transporting Three Million Cuban Pesos in Cash

In a recent incident, a state-owned vehicle traveling from Guantánamo to Santiago de Cuba was stopped by a police patrol, revealing over three million Cuban pesos in cash inside. This surprising discovery was reported on Thursday by the pro-government social media profile, Héroes del Moncada, which is aligned with Cuba's Ministry of the Interior (MININT).

The incident unfolded on the highway near Songo La Maya, where police officers examined bags within the vehicle and found the large sum of cash. The page described it as a "state sector car" intercepted during its journey, labeling the find as an unexpected "tremendous surprise."

Details about the vehicle's occupants, their connection to any state institution, or the reason for transporting the money were notably absent. It remains unclear whether any arrests were made, if the money was confiscated, or if a criminal investigation has been launched. This leaves many unanswered questions about the involvement of state resources and potential legal responsibilities.

While the transport of substantial cash amounts is not illegal per se, it raises suspicions when there is no documented justification for their origin and destination, especially when state resources are used. The Cuban Penal Code (Law 151/2022) provides penalties for various actions related to the possession, transfer, and concealment of financial assets if there is an indication of illegality.

Among the pertinent articles in the Cuban Penal Code is Article 329, which penalizes the possession of goods derived from crimes, even if the individual was not directly involved in the crime. Article 330 addresses illicit enrichment, particularly for public officials who cannot justify their wealth with lawful income. Article 337 deals with money laundering, applicable when money is transported with knowledge of its illegal origin to hide it or evade legal controls.

If unauthorized use of state resources is confirmed, the situation could escalate, leading to additional criminal penalties. Despite the potential seriousness of the incident, Héroes del Moncada treated the discovery as a mere news anecdote, without delving into the legal implications or demanding accountability for the use of state assets and the source of the funds.

This event coincides with the National Exercise for the Prevention and Confrontation of Crime, Corruption, Illegalities, and Social Indiscipline, which began last Monday in Cuba. During this operation, the regime has vowed to impose exemplary trials for serious offenses, particularly those occurring within state institutions.

At the official launch of this initiative held at the Communist Party's Central Committee headquarters, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel emphasized the need to confront cases of violence, vandalism, and economic damage with "total severity," urging that judicial responses be "forceful," according to the state-run Granma newspaper.