DOJ Shuts Down $18 Million Human Smuggling Ring Bringing Cubans to America

The Department of Justice announced Thursday that twelve individuals have been charged in connection with an $18 million human smuggling operation that illegally brought hundreds of Cuban nationals into the United States over a four-year span, as reported by The New York Post.

Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office said the scheme operated between January 2021 and June 2025 under the guise of a fraudulent immigration services company called ASESORIA Y SERVICIOS MIGRATORIOS LLC, which translates to Immigration Advice and Services LLC.

ARRESTED

The DOJ reported that an $18 million human smuggling operation illegally brought hundreds of Cuban nationals into the US.

According to US Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office, the group operated from January 2021 to June 2025, deceiving Cubans with fake visa…

— Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) September 8, 2025

According to officials, the organization lured victims through social media posts promoting visa and asylum services.

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In reality, the defendants filed hundreds of fraudulent Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) applications, enabling Cuban nationals to pose as European citizens to enter the U.S.

The group charged victims between $1,500 and $40,000 each, generating millions in profits. Roughly $7 million was transferred through the Zelle payment app, and records show more than $2.5 million was spent on flights for unsuspecting clients.

“This indictment exposes a criminal organization that smuggled people into the United States on a massive scale,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti.

“Posing as a legitimate immigration service, the defendants used social media promotions and false legal filings to attract new clients and perpetuate their fraud.”

Attorney General Bondi underscored the department’s commitment to shutting down such networks.

“We will not rest until those who profit from the suffering of vulnerable people — including many unaccompanied children — face severe, comprehensive justice,” Bondi said in a statement.

The twelve defendants charged are Lazaro Alain Cabrera-Rodriguez, 27; Yuniel Lima-Santos, 30; Liannys Yaiselys Vega-Perez, 26; Marianny Lucia Lopez-Torres, 25; Frandy Aragon-Diaz, 33; Erik Ventura-Castro, 23; Miguel Alejandro Martinez Vasconcelos, 30; Walbis Pozo-Dutel, 30; Emanuel Martinez Gonzalez, 28; Luis Emmanuel Escalona-Marrero, 31; Layra Libertad Treto Santos, 31; and Gisleivy Peralta Consuegra, 40.

Lima-Santos and Aragon-Diaz face charges of alien smuggling for financial gain. All defendants, except Consuegra, were charged with conspiracy to commit alien smuggling for financial gain.

Consuegra was charged with conspiracy to commit asylum fraud, along with Lima-Santos, Vega-Perez, Aragon-Diaz, and Santos.

Cabrera-Rodriguez, Lima-Santos, Vega-Perez, Aragon-Diaz, Ventura-Castro, Martinez Vasconcelos, Escalona-Marrero, and Santos were also charged with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.

The case is part of the DOJ’s Operation Take Back America, a nationwide effort targeting illegal immigration, human smuggling, and transnational crime.

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