A cross-border money transfer case linked to U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan officials has taken a significant turn after a Uruguayan national admitted his involvement. The case sheds light on how individuals attempt to bypass strict financial rules using hidden methods, raising concerns about the misuse of global banking systems.
Guilty Plea in Cross-Border Money Transfer Case
A 60-year-old Uruguayan man, Irazmar Carbajal De Jesus, has pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court for helping move money into the United States illegally. He admitted that he agreed to transfer funds in a way that bypassed financial rules and sanctions linked to Venezuelan officials.
According to court records, the case involved nearly $100,000 in cash delivered in the Dominican Republic. The Uruguayan defendant and his associate planned to transfer the money into a Florida bank account, despite knowing it was tied to a sanctioned individual. Such actions are part of broader schemes used to evade U.S. sanctions.
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Investigators said the Uruguayan suspect knowingly took part in the operation despite legal risks. Authorities added that such cases show how illegal networks use cash, multiple locations, and hidden methods to move money across borders without detection.
How the Scheme Was Planned and Carried Out by the Uruguayan Defendant
Court documents reveal that Irazmar Carbajal De Jesus did not carry out the operation alone. The Uruguayan national worked alongside a partner, and together they carefully planned how to move the money into the United States without drawing attention. Their coordination shows that the transfer was not random but part of a deliberate and organized effort.
The two agreed to charge a 20 percent fee for their services. This fee was not only for transferring the money but also for arranging ways to make the transactions appear legitimate. They discussed methods to hide the true nature of the funds so that banks and authorities would not suspect any wrongdoing.
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As part of the plan, they intended to create false invoices. These documents would make it seem like the money was being sent for normal business activities. In reality, the invoices were fake and were meant to disguise the illegal movement of funds. They also planned to use several bank accounts to move the money in smaller portions, making the trail more complex and harder to trace.
In an unusual detail, Carbajal used coded language when referring to the money, calling it a “boy who needs to be taken to school.” Investigators say this kind of wording is often used in illegal operations to avoid suspicion. Authorities added that such tactics are common in money laundering schemes, where individuals try to hide the source and destination of funds. The investigation into this case was conducted by the FBI’s international corruption unit based in Miami.
Charges, Officials Involved, and Possible Sentence
Irazmar Carbajal De Jesus, the Uruguayan defendant, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, a serious federal offense in the United States. By admitting his role, he accepted responsibility for helping move money without proper legal authorization.
He now faces a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison. However, the final punishment will be decided by a federal judge, who will consider sentencing guidelines and other legal factors before making a decision. The Uruguayan man is scheduled to be sentenced on June 12.
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The case was announced by senior U.S. officials, including A. Tysen Duva from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones, and FBI official Brett Skiles. The prosecution is being led by Trial Attorney Barbara Levy and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nalina Sombuntham in the case involving the Uruguayan defendant.
Officials said the case is part of a wider effort to protect the U.S. financial system from illegal activity. They stressed that even smaller transactions, like the nearly $100,000 involved here, are treated seriously when they are used to bypass sanctions, especially through deceptive methods such as fake invoices and coded language.