Luis Radhames Cabral, a 36-year-old Dominican national living in Hialeah, was taken into custody this Monday after authorities found $756,595 in cash inside his black Chevrolet Suburban SUV.
Local media reports indicate that the discovery occurred near the 4900 block of Northwest 114th Avenue in Doral during a coordinated operation by federal and state authorities.
The arrest was part of a joint undercover investigation that state and federal agencies dubbed Operation Empty Nest.
The funds, primarily in $20 bills, were vacuum-sealed and arranged in what authorities described as quick-count bundles.
The cash was packed in stacks of approximately $10,000 held together with rubber bands, a common method for transporting illicit gains that facilitates swift transactions and complicates financial traceability.
Along with the cash, which was distributed in travel bags and a luxury shoulder bag, agents also discovered a firearm.
The arrest report states that Cabral acted as an agent for a money laundering organization responsible for bulk transportation and delivery of narcotics proceeds in U.S. currency.
His role within the network was to convert this cash into cryptocurrency and transfer it to digital wallets controlled by criminal organizations, thus circumventing traditional financial monitoring systems.
Investigators observed Cabral receiving a duffel bag from an unidentified man who arrived in a gray Toyota Camry, after which he transported the containers to an apartment with another individual.
Neither Cabral nor his associate held a license as money service operators in Florida or at the federal level.
The background of the case traces back to August 6, 2025, when agents detected unusual activities in the Doral area.
During the bail hearing, the prosecution revealed that Cabral had allegedly been involved in laundering over a million dollars on at least four different occasions.
The accused himself admitted to his participation in the scheme.
Judge Mindy Glazer set bail at $500,000 with a Nebbia hold, a judicial mechanism requiring proof that the funds used for bail come from legitimate sources and not criminal activities.
Additionally, Cabral was ordered to surrender his passport. As of Tuesday, March 3, he remained in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK).
Cabral faces charges of money laundering, conspiracy to commit money laundering, operating as an unlicensed money transmitter, and conspiracy to operate as an unlicensed money transmitter, all involving amounts exceeding $100,000.
Doral, a city in Miami-Dade with direct access to the airport and a dense commercial network, has a documented history as a strategic point for money laundering operations linked to drug trafficking, making it a recurrent hub for criminal organizations in South Florida.
As of the time of the arrest, authorities had not confirmed any additional arrests related to the operation.
Key Details on Miami Money Laundering Case
What was Luis Radhames Cabral's role in the money laundering operation?
Luis Radhames Cabral served as an agent for a money laundering organization, tasked with converting cash from narcotics proceeds into cryptocurrency and transferring it to digital wallets controlled by criminal groups.
How was the cash found with Cabral organized?
The cash, mainly in $20 bills, was vacuum-sealed and organized in quick-count bundles, each approximately $10,000, secured with rubber bands to facilitate fast transactions and hinder financial tracking.
Where did the arrest take place?
The arrest took place near the 4900 block of Northwest 114th Avenue in Doral, during a coordinated operation by federal and state authorities.
What charges is Cabral facing?
Cabral is facing charges of money laundering, conspiracy to commit money laundering, operating as an unlicensed money transmitter, and conspiracy to operate as an unlicensed money transmitter, all involving amounts exceeding $100,000.