https://www.local10.com/news/local/2024/09/25/police-miami-dade-money-laundering-scheme-had-links-to-venezuela-cuba-panama-spain/

AVENTURA, Fla. – A 39-year-old man in Miami-Dade County stands accused Wednesday of money laundering millions as part of a scheme involving transactions linked to Venezuela, Cuba, Panama, and Spain.

U.S. Homeland Security Investigations agents worked on the case against Manuel Alejandro Rojas, born in Venezuela and operating out of Miami-Dade County.

Miami Beach and Indian Creek police departments’ detectives working with The South Florida Financial Crimes Strike Force, or SFFCSF, reported tracking over $3.38 million in the case and found more incriminating evidence on Tuesday.

According to a police report, detectives arrested Rojas on Tuesday at a 10th-floor apartment at SoLé Mia, a community with a 7-acre pool-like lagoon with a sand area. They had a search warrant and found ledgers, a money counter, bank cards with others’ names, 9 phones, and 3 computers.

The detectives listed over 670 deposits as part of the money laundering operation from March 1, 2022, to June 28. They also reported finding bundles of cash in the apartment — including Cuban Pesos, Venezuelan Bolivars, Euros, and U.S. currency.

Records show thousands of financial transactions including transfers to Panama and Spain. Most of the deposits identified were ATM cash deposits and involved banks along Biscayne Boulevard, between North Miami and Aventura, including Truist and JP Morgan Chase.

Records show the bank accounts that the detectives identified were associated with registered companies, including Bempaco XVI and Lay Investments. Detectives also used surveillance videos. Investigators reported Rojas was allegedly driving his gray BMW X7 for drive-thru deposits.

After searching the BMW, investigators also reported finding evidence such as bank deposit slips and unstamped bank straps. According to a county inmate database, correctional officers held Rojas on Wednesday afternoon at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center near Doral.

In Miami-Dade County court, Rojas was facing charges of money laundering, unauthorized money transmitter, and unauthorized money transmitter conspiracy. His bond was $900,000.