Las Tunas Resident Sentenced to 15 Years for Marijuana Trafficking

A local court in the Las Tunas province has handed down a 15-year prison sentence to a resident from the Amancio municipality, who was found guilty of marijuana trafficking. This judicial case began in September of last year when the accused was apprehended in Las Tunas with a substantial amount of local currency and three packets of plant material. As the arrest unfolded, he attempted to discard the evidence by throwing the packets a few meters away.

The prosecution presented evidence linking the scent traces on the packets to the accused, along with a positive marijuana test in his urine, according to the official newspaper 26. The court noted that the individual had prior convictions for similar offenses. In addition to the prison term, the court ordered the confiscation of the seized money and imposed a travel ban during the incarceration period.

This ruling is part of Case No. 77 of 2025, where the defendant was provided with legal representation and, as stated by the court, all due process guarantees were observed. The sentence aligns with the Fourth National Exercise for Crime Prevention and Control and falls under the government’s “Zero Tolerance” drug policy. Both the defendant and the prosecution retain the right to appeal the verdict, as highlighted by the press.

Nationwide Crackdown on Drug Trafficking

Throughout this week, Cuba is conducting the fourth iteration of the National Exercise for Crime Prevention and Control, targeting corruption, illegal activities, and social disorder, organized under the Cuba Secure program. As part of this initiative, the Popular Provincial Court of Holguín held a high-profile trial against three Cuban citizens accused of drug trafficking.

The official report states that the defendants were sentenced as co-perpetrators of drug trafficking under the current Penal Code, receiving sentences ranging from 4 to 10 years in prison. The court considered committing the crime at night as an aggravating factor, which in Cuba can lead to harsher sentences.

Other Recent Sentences Across Cuba

In Havana, a man received a 15-year sentence on September 22 for cocaine and synthetic drug sales. Meanwhile, in Matanzas, another young man awaits sentencing after admitting to purchasing and reselling narcotics, with the prosecution seeking a seven-year term despite his clean criminal record.

These legal proceedings are part of a national campaign to strictly combat drug trafficking, emphasizing a strong judicial stance against drug use and distribution, particularly synthetic cannabinoids, often referred to as "químico" or "papelillo."

Additionally, during the Exercise, it was revealed that the Popular Provincial Court of Mayabeque sentenced a man to 10 years for robbery with violence and intimidation after he broke into a home in Güines, threatening a father and son with a machete.

Government's Response to Rising Crime

At the commencement of the Fourth National Exercise for Crime Prevention and Control, President Miguel Díaz-Canel urged increased efforts to bolster "public tranquility" and "internal order." In connection, authorities conducted operations against street vendors on Calle 13, Calle 8, and around Las Baleares in Holguín, where officials issued fines and confiscated goods from informal sellers.

Simultaneously, the government intensified its crackdown on recent protests with mass arrests and severe sentences. In Gibara, Holguín province, at least 27 individuals were detained following public demonstrations, while in Bayamo, 15 participants from the March 17, 2024 protests received sentences ranging from three to nine years in prison.

Cubans are increasingly concerned about the surge in crime across various regions, particularly violent robberies, assaults, and thefts occurring in broad daylight.