Cuban man sentenced to prison in Uruguay for being part of a gang that sold stolen cars

A Cuban citizen was in Uruguay for being part of a criminal gang dedicated to the cloning of stolen vehicles. The case was brought to light this week by the authorities of the Maldonado department, located 128 kilometers from Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, following a joint investigation that allowed for the dismantling of the criminal group.

The investigation, carried out by members of Complex Facts of Operational Zone V, began in mid-April after receiving an anonymous tip regarding fraudulent activities in the automobile market, reported the media outlet Portada from Punta del Este.

According to the report, the group was engaged in cloning stolen cars in Montevideo and other areas of the country, and then selling them in Maldonado with false documentation.

Thanks to the coordinated efforts between the Police, the Video Surveillance and Analytics Directorate (DIVARU) of Montevideo, Interpol, the Unified Command Center of Maldonado (CCU), and the Traffic Directorate of the Intendencia, the individuals responsible were identified and compelling evidence was gathered.

On May 2nd, simultaneous raids were conducted in the neighborhoods of Lomas de Santa Teresita, Los Eucaliptos, and a residence located on Tacuabé Street, where three men were arrested, including the Cuban citizen identified as Y.A.V., 41 years old. T.V.C.R. (19) and G.S.S.B. (19) were also detained, while a fourth individual, I.D.M. (19), was later summoned by the Prosecutor's Office.

During the procedures, authorities seized three vehicles with theft warrants: a Chevrolet, a VW Saveiro pickup truck, and an Audi, as well as vehicle ownership documents, forged license plates, and mobile phones.

On May 3, the detainees appeared before the 11th Turn Criminal Court of Maldonado. The Cuban Y.A.V. was sentenced to seven months of effective prison time for the crime of aggravated receiving.

The rest of those involved received sentences ranging from 8 to 14 months for similar offenses; however, in their cases, these were replaced with a probationary regimen that includes nighttime house arrest, weekly reports to the police, community service, and monitoring by the National Directorate of the Environment (DINAMA).

Uruguayan authorities emphasized that none of those involved had prior criminal records. The investigation remains open with the aim of determining whether there are more individuals involved or connections to other criminal networks both within and outside the country.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Conviction of a Cuban in Uruguay for Vehicle Cloning-Related Crimes