Tampa woman pleads guilty to bulk cash smuggling

TAMPA, Florida — A Tampa woman has pleaded guilty to charges of bulk cash smuggling and conspiracy to commit bulk cash smuggling, according to the United States Attorney's Office.

Mirtza Ocana, 39, of Tampa, faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, Ocana returned to the United States on a flight from Cuba on February 5, 2024. Despite telling U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents that she had no cash to declare, Ocana concealed more than $31,000 in her luggage. After agents found this cash, Ocana admitted that she frequently smuggled cash into the United States from Cuba and that she had done so two to three times per month since June 2023. She also told agents that she was paid between $1,000 and $2,500 each time she smuggled cash. Agents searched Ocana and discovered an additional $71,300 in cash hidden in her clothes. In total, agents found approximately $102,700 in cash concealed both in Ocana’s clothes and in her luggage.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Buchanan.