Tampa Woman Arrested for Smuggling Over $100,000 in Cash from Cuba

Background

• A Tampa woman, Mirtza Ocana, was arrested this week
• Charged with smuggling over $100,000 in U.S. currency from Cuba

Arrest at Tampa International Airport

• Taken into custody by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents
• Arrived on an international flight from Havana on February 5

Customs Inspection

• Customs agents discovered three wrapped packages containing $30,000 in bulk cash
• During questioning, Ocana admitted to making frequent trips to transport cash
• Hidden $70,000 on her person discovered during further search

Charges and Penalties

• Currently charged with smuggling
• Faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison if convicted

Previous Flight History

• Indicated she had traveled from Cuba to Tampa a total of 45 times since May 2023

Important Note

• Criminal complaint is a formal allegation, not evidence
• All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

Investigation and Prosecution

• Investigation being conducted by HSI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Buchanan in the Middle District of Florida