A Tampa woman has entered a guilty plea on charges related to smuggling over $100,000 from Cuba into the United States, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Mirtza Ocana, age 39, is set to face a possible maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, after admitting to one count of bulk cash smuggling and one count of conspiracy to commit bulk cash smuggling.
The case came to light when Ocana was found attempting to quickly conceal a significant amount of currency in her luggage and clothing upon arrival in the U.S. from a flight originating in Cuba on February 5. The U.S. Attorney’s release noted that Ocana initially denied having cash to declare to U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. However, after a discovery of over $31,000 in her luggage, Ocana confessed to her repeated involvement in cash smuggling activities that have been ongoing since June 2023. During her interaction with authorities, Ocana admitted that she smuggled cash two to three times a month and was compensated between $1,000 to $2,500 for each trip. Investigators, upon further search, found an additional $71,300 hidden in Ocana's clothes. In total, the seized cash amounted to approximately $102,700.
The investigation, led by Homeland Security Investigations, could uncover occluded layers of a potentially larger criminal enterprise. As per the detailed affidavit, Ocana was likely a component in a more intricate scheme. Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Buchanan is currently prosecuting the case. While the date for Ocana’s sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
