Uruguay has uncovered a smuggling network involving 34 people of Cuban origin

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The smuggling operations originated in Havana, where Cubans, members of the organization, recruited their compatriots and enticed them to travel to Uruguay, some to stay there, others to enter the United States.

The journey went from Cuba to Guyana, then by land to the city of Boa Vista in the Brazilian state of Roraima, and finally by bus or domestic flight to Manaus and Porto Alegre.

They went to the Brazilian cities of Chui or Santana do Livramento and then to Uruguay.

Some settled in Uruguay as refugees, while others paid between US$6,000 and US$7,000 to reach another destination, usually the United States. In a raid in Montevideo, evidence was found of money being transported to Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, and Peru, and documents were sent to Lima for forgery.

Thirty-four Cuban nationals, 21 men and 13 women between the ages of 35 and 45, were involved; 12 of them were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, suspended, for the crime of using a false public document.

At the same time, 18 Italian, Mexican, and Spanish-Austrian visas and 34 Cuban, Peruvian, and Mexican passports were confiscated.

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