A Tampa woman has pleaded guilty to smuggling over $100,000 into the United States on multiple flights from Cuba, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
On Thursday, officials announced that Mirtza Ocana, 39, pleaded guilty to charges of bulk cash smuggling and conspiracy to commit bulk cash smuggling. The charges stem from an incident in February when Ocana was returning from Cuba. Despite informing U.S. Customs and Border Protection that she had no cash to declare, she was found concealing over $31,000 in her luggage.
Upon discovery of the cash, Ocana admitted to frequently smuggling money, revealing that she had engaged in this illegal activity two to three times a month since June 2023. She further confessed that she was paid $1,000 to $2,500 for each smuggling trip.
The State Attorney’s Office reported that agents also discovered an additional $71,300 hidden within her clothing, bringing the total amount found on Ocana to approximately $102,700.
Ocana now faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. Her sentencing date has not yet been determined.
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