An undercover operation led to the arrest of three individuals in Miami on September 2, charged with selling counterfeit luxury clothing, distributing testosterone without a prescription, and transferring more than $815,000 to Turkey through manipulated bank transactions, as reported by Telemundo 51 and other local outlets.
The individuals taken into custody are Yeinys Rodriguez-Canizares, 33; her husband Roynel Matos, 44; and Yassel Darboys, 40.
The operation was a collaborative effort involving Miami Police, the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office, and federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Matos and Rodriguez-Canizares face charges including money laundering, organized crime, counterfeiting, and selling or possessing a controlled substance.
Darboys has been charged with organized crime and selling or possessing a controlled substance.
Undercover Purchases and Counterfeit Goods
The investigation began with undercover purchases at The Legend Gang Store, located on Northwest 7th Street in Miami. In March, an agent bought Amiri-branded clothing for $970; in April, shoes from the same brand for $1,100.
Both U.S. Customs and Border Protection and a representative from Amiri confirmed the items were counterfeit. Amiri, a luxury American brand known for its high-priced merchandise, is often targeted by counterfeiters in South Florida.
Testosterone Sales and Accusations
The case expanded in May when Matos arranged over the phone to sell testosterone cypionate. According to arrest reports cited by WSVN 7News, Rodriguez-Canizares received the substance from Darboys, processed the transaction, and deposited the money into the store’s register; the agreed price was $300.
A Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office lab confirmed the substance was testosterone cypionate, an anabolic steroid classified as a Schedule III controlled substance under Florida law, making its sale without a prescription a felony.
A second undercover purchase of the same substance occurred in August for $540.
Financial Transfers to Turkey and Business Operations
Investigators obtained bank records revealing a consistent pattern of financial transactions dating back to 2022. According to Diario Las Américas, "what began as undercover purchases in a Miami store exposed potential counterfeit goods sales, testosterone distribution, and bank transfers exceeding $815,000 to Turkey."
In total, 171 transfers were made to financial institutions in Istanbul, with several instances where the purpose code was altered from "bill payment" to "gift or donation."
Matos also owns multiple accident clinics. Authorities monitored one located on Coral Way, noting no activity for several hours, a detail documented in the case file.
This case is part of a broader crackdown on luxury goods counterfeiting in South Florida. On September 3, during a bond hearing, a judge found probable cause. A $25,000 bond was set for Rodriguez-Canizares and $35,000 for Matos, both with a Nebbia requirement, a legal condition in Florida that mandates defendants to prove their bail money comes from legitimate sources, a common practice in money laundering cases.
FAQs on Miami Counterfeiting and Money Laundering Case
What charges are the defendants facing?
Yeinys Rodriguez-Canizares and Roynel Matos are charged with money laundering, organized crime, counterfeiting, and selling or possessing a controlled substance. Yassel Darboys faces charges of organized crime and selling or possessing a controlled substance.
How was the counterfeit operation discovered?
The operation was uncovered through undercover purchases at The Legend Gang Store, where agents bought counterfeit luxury goods. The investigation later revealed financial transactions and illegal distribution of testosterone.
What is the significance of the Nebbia requirement?
The Nebbia requirement is a legal condition that requires the accused to prove that the funds used for bail are from legitimate sources, commonly used in money laundering cases to ensure the bail money is not derived from illegal activities.