Smuggling · Sunday, September 27, 2026
Tampa jury convicts a Cuban national in an alien-smuggling and money-laundering case
The File desk · Sep 27, 2026, 10:07 AM UTC
Status
Confirmed (DOJ Office of Public Affairs, Sept. 25, 2026)
On Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, a federal jury in Tampa convicted Lazaro Alain Cabrera-Rodriguez, 28, of Hialeah, of conspiracy to smuggle people for money and to launder money. Prosecutors said his travel agency was a front: the ring pushed thousands of Cubans toward the southern border, charged $1,500 to $40,000, filed hundreds of false Electronic System for Travel Authorization applications, and moved more than $20 million through 57 bank accounts. Sentencing is set for Dec. 17. The department said he faces up to 20 years in prison.
On Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, a federal jury in Tampa convicted Lazaro Alain Cabrera-Rodriguez, 28, of Hialeah.
The counts were conspiracy to smuggle people for money and conspiracy to launder money.
Prosecutors said his travel agency was a front. They said the ring pushed thousands of Cubans toward the southern border and charged $1,500 to $40,000.
They said the ring filed hundreds of false applications under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, which the release calls ESTA.
The department said the ring laundered more than $20 million through 57 bank accounts.
Sentencing is set for Dec. 17. The department said he faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.
What is still unknown or disputed
- Outcomes for co-defendants beyond those the release says pleaded guilty or were sentenced.
Primary sources
Every claim in this story is drawn from the documents below. If a fetch failed, that is recorded on the card.
Source 1
Cuban National Convicted for International Alien Smuggling and Money Laundering Conspiracy
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs · September 25, 2026
Laundered over $20 million through 57 bank accounts. Sentencing is set for Dec. 17. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/cuban-national-convicted-international-alien-smuggling-and-money-laundering-conspiracy