Twelve individuals have been charged in a superseding indictment related to an international conspiracy that involved alien smuggling, asylum fraud, and money laundering. The operation reportedly brought thousands of Cuban nationals into the United States illegally for profit.
Court documents indicate that the defendants managed an alien smuggling organization (ASO) which facilitated unlawful entry by preparing fraudulent visa applications, laundering millions of dollars, and exploiting the U.S. immigration process.
“This Department of Justice is investigating and prosecuting human smuggling more aggressively than ever before, and Joint Task Force Alpha is the tip of the spear,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will not rest until those who profit from the suffering of vulnerable people — including many unaccompanied children — face severe, comprehensive justice.”
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti commented, “This indictment exposes a criminal organization that smuggled people into the United States on a massive scale, and then fraudulently secured immigration benefits for them. Posing as a legitimate immigration service, the defendants used social media promotions and false legal filings to attract new clients and perpetuate their fraud. The Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners will continue to dismantle these schemes, protect vulnerable people from exploitation, and safeguard the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.”
U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida stated, “The defendants in this case conspired with others to deliberately violate our nation’s immigration laws while personally seeking to enrich themselves. Because of the interagency coordination and diligence of our dedicated law enforcement agencies, their crimes have been thwarted. We will continue working with our partners to protect our national borders.”
According to Acting Director Todd M. Lyons of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), “This superseding indictment exposes the depth of a multi-year conspiracy of alien smuggling, asylum fraud, and money laundering that preyed on vulnerable individuals and weakened public trust in the immigration system... This highlights the critical role ICE has in dismantling these criminal networks, combating immigration fraud, and ensuring criminals who abuse our systems are held accountable. We are absolute in our resolve to protect the integrity of our immigration system and safeguard our national security."
Chief Jeffrey J. Dinise of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Miami Sector added: “It is because of the unfettered Department of Justice support we charge criminals with every available statute to provide consequences to those that erode the moral fabric of our society... The message is clear, the United States is closed to illegal immigration and terrorist organizations, and those that make an attempt, will be met with fierce consequences. We are committed to protecting our Florida communities and safeguarding our nation.”
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said: “Through diligent investigation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and our partners exposed a multi-national, multi-year, multimillion dollar criminal conspiracy operated by aliens that attempted to undermine our immigration system... This criminal organization operated a front for fake asylum claims, churning out frivolous applications around the country. To criminals who seek to exploit our immigration system: we will find you, shut down your schemes, and you will face justice.”
The superseding indictment names Lazaro Alain Cabrera-Rodriguez; Yuniel Lima-Santos; Liannys Yaiselys Vega-Perez; Marianny Lucia Lopez-Torres; Frandy Aragon-Diaz; Erik Ventura-Castro; Miguel Alejandro Martinez Vasconcelos; Walbis Pozo-Dutel; Emanuel Martinez Gonzalez; Luis Emmanuel Escalona-Marrero; Layra Libertad Treto Santos; and Gisleivy Peralta Consuegra.
Charges include conspiracy to commit alien smuggling for financial gain (for all but one defendant), additional counts for some involving alien smuggling for financial gain or conspiracy to commit asylum fraud or money laundering.
From January 2021 through June 2025, authorities allege that bogus visa services were promoted online by claiming Cuban nationals could enter through false European citizenship claims. Hundreds of fraudulent Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) applications were filed using fake information.
Social media accounts—including WhatsApp groups—were used for promotion alongside videos showing passports and travel documents as evidence of success.
The operation expanded from small-scale beginnings into a commercial enterprise charging clients between $1,500-$40,000 per case—with private planes sometimes chartered—and spent over $2.5 million on flights alone while moving more than $7 million via payment apps like Zelle. Analysis indicates over $18 million was collected during this period.
The group also allegedly smuggled unaccompanied minors by instructing them how to evade detection at border crossings.
A sham business called ASESORIA Y SERVICIOS MIGRATORIOS LLC promised legitimate services but instead filed generic asylum claims without client consent or knowledge.
Law enforcement agencies collaborated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), which targets transnational criminal organizations involved in human smuggling affecting border security across several countries in Central America as well as Mexico and Colombia.
JTFA includes members from various U.S Attorneys’ Offices along both borders plus support from components such as Human Rights & Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP), Money Laundering & Asset Recovery Section among others—alongside substantial investment from DHS components including ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), FBI & DEA.
To date JTFA reports over 410 arrests related to human smuggling conspiracies domestically/internationally with over 355 convictions secured since its inception along with significant jail sentences imposed & asset forfeitures made.
Investigative efforts were led by HSI Tampa along with other federal partners while Cayman Islands authorities provided assistance abroad.
Trial Attorney Jenna Reed (HRSP) & Assistant U.S Attorney Courtney Derry (Middle District FL) are prosecuting this case as part of Operation Take Back America—a DOJ initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration-related crime nationwide through collaboration across programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
