A Cuban was detained at Miami International Airport (MIA) for bringing more than 90 cartons of illegal H. Upmann cigarettes in his luggage.
Alexander Pérez-Vera, 50 years old, traveled on April 12 from Havana to Miami on Delta airline flight 1788. Upon arrival, the authorities seized the cigarette packages.
As reported Telemundo 51, initially denied that he had checked luggage, apparently to try to hide the contraband. Later, when Customs officers searched the passengers and verified that there were two suitcases checked in his name, he modified his statement.
Upon checking the luggage, it was discovered that there were 97 packs of Cuban cigarettes of the H. Upmann brand, which accounted in total 19,400 cigarettes not declared or taxed.
The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) at the airport seized the shipment.
In addition, an agent from the State of Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco confirmed the illegality of the seized Cuban products.
Records reveal that Pérez Vera has a history of possessing illegal and untaxed Cuban cigarettes, and that Since December 2022, he has been detained five other times at the MIA for this reason.
On Wednesday, May 8, while returning to the United States from Cuba, he was arrested at the airport and transferred to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
He faces charges of acquiring, possessing and transporting illegal and untaxed cigarettes with the intent to distribute or offer them for sale.
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