A collaborative effort between Spain's National Police and EUROPOL has successfully dismantled a complex money laundering network orchestrated by the Russian mafia, with ties extending to Cuba. This criminal operation, handling multiple millions of euros monthly, maintained connections with illicit organizations across various nations and had established contacts with Cuban authorities to invest in the island, as announced by Spain's Ministry of the Interior.
The operation concluded with the arrest of 14 individuals and the seizure of over one million euros in cash, along with encrypted devices and critical documents for the investigation.
Investments in Cuba: A Facade for Money Laundering
One of the most striking elements was the organization's intent to funnel investments into Cuba by setting up photovoltaic plants to supply energy. Investigative findings revealed that the masterminds behind this scheme had initiated negotiations with Cuban government officials to develop this project. In return for the energy infrastructure investments, the Cuban regime would provide substantial amounts of strategic minerals.
"Another venture the suspects aimed to enter was installing photovoltaic cells in Cuba to supply energy to the island, for which they even contacted Cuban administration members to launch this business. In exchange, the Cuban government would deliver considerable amounts of minerals, specifically nickel and gold," stated the Ministry of Interior's communiqué.
This strategy promised a dual advantage for the criminal network: not only did it allow them to penetrate the Cuban market and launder some of their funds, but it also guaranteed access to valuable resources in an economy with limited external financing alternatives. Spanish newspaper El País noted that for the nascent Cuba deal, they had even hired a Spanish lawyer who boasted of handling affairs for a well-known Spanish politician, according to sources close to the investigation. The lawyer is not among those arrested, these sources detail.
International Reach of the Criminal Network
Initiated in 2023, the investigation uncovered that this money laundering ring operated not only in Spain but also had ties in multiple countries, including the Netherlands, Estonia, Lithuania, and Italy. It was an exceptionally sophisticated structure offering illicit financial services to various criminal organizations, including the Armenian mafia, Albanian and Serbian cartels, Chinese and Ukrainian groups, the notorious Mocro Maffia from the Netherlands, and Colombian drug traffickers.
The organization utilized a decentralized system of "cashiers" who managed the flow of money in different Spanish cities. These individuals were entrusted with receiving and distributing large sums of cash, with daily transactions sometimes reaching 300,000 euros. Their services came with a fee, ranging from 2% to 3% of the laundered money.
Modus Operandi: A Criminal Multinational
The network operated with an unprecedented level of professionalism in Europe, as noted by the aforementioned Spanish newspaper. Each office was equipped with exceptional security measures: high-capacity safes, bill counters, and soundproof cabinets to prevent the detection of money counting machines. "Cashiers" received manuals with strict protocols and faced fines for breaching any of the operational standards set by the organization's leaders.
Furthermore, the network members took extreme precautions to avoid detection. They frequently changed residences and vehicles, used encrypted phones that simultaneously locked in case one member was arrested, and regularly rotated between cities. They also maintained safe houses exclusively for money laundering operations.
During the investigation, agents discovered that the Russian organization had clashed with an Armenian mafia faction that attempted to steal over half a million euros from one of its "cashiers." The attempt was thwarted thanks to the Russian network's security measures, leading to a conflict between the two organizations. As a result, a meeting was organized in Spain involving high-ranking officials from the Russian and Armenian organized crime groups to prevent an escalation of violence.
Dismantling the Network and Arrests
After two years of investigation, the National Police, with EUROPOL's collaboration, executed the final phase of the operation, dubbed "Strongbox." Searches conducted in Madrid, Málaga, Marbella, Torremolinos, Coín, Ayamonte, and Lisbon resulted in the seizure of over one million euros in cash, four bill counters, encrypted devices, and crucial documentation. A cryptocurrency wallet and several properties in Spain owned by the organization were also frozen.
Among the 14 detainees were the network's top three "cashiers," two Russian nationals and one Armenian, as well as a Spanish police officer who facilitated documentation to regularize the organization's members in the country. The scheme's leaders have been placed in provisional detention by order of Madrid's Court of Instruction No. 46, and authorities do not rule out further arrests.
This operation is part of the European Union's strategy to combat organized crime and has been co-financed by the European Commission's Internal Security Fund (ISF). The question remains open regarding the depth of the Russian mafia's connections with Cuban authorities. The investigation continues, with authorities seeking to unravel the extent to which the island may have become a new haven for money laundering and the investment of illicit funds from organized crime.
As of the close of this report, the Cuban regime has not commented on the case.
Key Questions About the Russian Mafia and Cuba Connection
What was the goal of the Russian mafia's investment in Cuba?
The Russian mafia aimed to invest in Cuba by establishing photovoltaic plants for energy supply. This investment would allow them to launder money and gain access to strategic minerals like nickel and gold from the Cuban government.
How did the criminal network operate internationally?
The network had a sophisticated structure operating in multiple countries, including Spain, the Netherlands, Estonia, Lithuania, and Italy. It offered illicit financial services to various criminal organizations, including the Armenian mafia, Albanian and Serbian cartels, and others.
What security measures did the network implement?
The network had advanced security features such as high-capacity safes, bill counters, and soundproof cabinets. Members frequently changed residences and vehicles, used encrypted phones, and maintained safe houses for operations.