Brazilian authorities have dismantled a network exploiting Cuban migrants in a human trafficking and airfare scam operating through the northern state of Roraima.
The police operation, named Operation Malecón, took place on Thursday in Boa Vista, resulting in the arrest of a suspect believed to be the network's main coordinator. Authorities seized 12,000 reais in various currencies, including US dollars and Cuban pesos, as reported by the Brazilian outlet g1 Roraima.
The Civil Police of Roraima confirmed the operation aimed to dismantle a human trafficking scheme connected to Cuban immigrants and a fraudulent airline miles operation.
Investigations identified the alleged head of the network as a 32-year-old Venezuelan, José Alberto Lira Lezama, who was taken into custody during the raid. Authorities stated that the suspect orchestrated the logistics for transporting and accommodating the migrants in Boa Vista.
Suspicion of Police Involvement
Complicating the case was the suspect's arrest in a house owned by a military police officer, prompting an investigation into potential involvement or connections with the trafficking network by the officer.
During the operation, four search warrants were executed across neighborhoods in western Boa Vista, where authorities confiscated documents, cell phones, SIM cards intended for migrants, and vehicles used in the trafficking logistics, according to the news report.
The "Guianas Route": Irregular Cuban Entry into Brazil
The investigation revealed that migrants were recruited in Cuba and entered Brazil via the increasingly used "Guianas Route," a corridor favored by Cubans facing difficulties obtaining direct visas to Brazil.
Wesley Costa de Oliveira, head of the Delegacia de Repressão aos Crimes Organizados (Draco), explained that Cubans traveled first to Georgetown, Guyana, then crossed into Brazil through Lethem, reaching Boa Vista. Migrants were provided with accommodation and transportation before being dispatched to other Brazilian cities like Manaus, Curitiba, Brasília, and São Paulo.
Authorities discovered a property functioning as an illegal hostel with around 30 beds, where migrants were lodged irregularly while awaiting further transport.
A court order also froze up to 400,000 reais in accounts linked to the detained suspect as the investigation continues.
Fraudulent Tickets and Stolen Miles
The operation also uncovered an international scam where some Cubans paid in dollars for airline tickets purchased with stolen miles from victims in other Brazilian states. Migrants were often blocked from boarding, leaving them stranded without their money.
"We identified that some Cubans paid in dollars for tickets bought with stolen miles. When they tried to board, they were prevented," explained Wesley Costa de Oliveira, as cited by g1 Roraima.
Origin of "Operation Malecón"
The operation's name, "Malecón," refers to the famous Havana seawall, symbolizing the origin point of many Cuban migrants ensnared by the network, as explained by the Civil Police. The investigations are ongoing to identify other participants and determine if similar structures are operating in northern Brazil.
FAQs on Cuban Migration Network in Brazil
What was the main goal of Operation Malecón?
The main goal was to dismantle a human trafficking scheme involving Cuban migrants and a fraudulent airline miles operation.
Who was identified as the leader of the trafficking network?
The leader was identified as a 32-year-old Venezuelan named José Alberto Lira Lezama.
What route did Cuban migrants use to enter Brazil?
Migrants used the "Guianas Route," traveling from Cuba to Georgetown, Guyana, then crossing into Brazil through Lethem.
What did the fraudulent component of the scheme involve?
The fraudulent component involved selling airline tickets bought with stolen miles from victims in other parts of Brazil.