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Once known in entertainment circles as a high-profile music promoter and boxing manager, Boris Arencibia is now facing a far less glamorous label, federal convict. The Cuban American businessman, whose name was associated with popular events like the Santa María Music Fest in Cuba, has been caught at the center of a massive criminal scheme involving counterfeit drugs, money laundering, and shady ties to known traffickers.
From Stage Lights to Spotlight
Arencibia built a reputation as a connector in the entertainment world, helping bring big names and big events to life across Latin America and the U.S. He wasn’t just in music. He also managed the careers of high-profile Cuban boxers like Guillermo Rigondeaux. But behind the scenes, federal investigators allege he was using his industry access to run an underground operation of a much darker kind.
The Charges: Counterfeit Drugs and Laundered Millions
According to federal prosecutors, beginning around 2013 and running through 2019, Arencibia was involved in trafficking misbranded and adulterated pharmaceutical drugs, including medications used to treat psychiatric conditions, cancer, and HIV/AIDS. These weren’t knockoff handbags or fake sneakers. These were life-saving medications being funneled into the market through a black-market network that reportedly generated millions.
boris-arencibia-et-al-indictment
Authorities say Arencibia not only helped distribute these counterfeit products but also played a key role in laundering the profits, estimated at over $400,000 through various fraudulent channels. And while that may be the money the feds can trace, the true scale of the operation is believed to be much larger.
In early 2024, FBI agents arrested Arencibia at his home in Miami-Dade County. But his legal troubles were just beginning. A federal judge denied bail, citing his frequent travel to Cuba and strong potential to intimidate witnesses. Records showed Arencibia had made numerous trips to the island over the years, including one that violated U.S. travel restrictions. Prosecutors also revealed that one of his music events may have been used to raise money for a known drug trafficker.
Arencibia’s case is being tried in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. He is currently facing multiple federal charges under case number 19-CR-20674-DPG, including conspiracy to traffic in falsified medical products, distribution of misbranded drugs, and money laundering.
In April 2025, a new round of filings emerged under case number 1:25-cr-20154, including forfeiture motions tied to assets believed to be purchased through illegal profits.
While there were reports of an earlier plea agreement resulting in a six-month prison sentence and three years of probation, those appear to be tied to a separate matter. The more serious drug trafficking charges still loom large and could carry a sentence of up to 40 years if he is convicted.
Beyond Arencibia himself, this case has raised eyebrows over his past ties to the Cuban government, his influence in the music world, and the apparent ease with which he navigated both legitimate and illicit circles. Critics argue that the music festivals and boxing promotions were sometimes used as convenient fronts for criminal dealings.
In the wake of his arrest, scrutiny has intensified on the Santa María Music Fest and other business ventures he oversaw. Former collaborators have begun distancing themselves, and the Cuban American community in Miami is watching closely as the legal process unfolds.
Boris Arencibia’s dramatic fall from respected promoter to accused drug trafficker is a cautionary tale of how the lines between entertainment and exploitation can blur. His story isn’t just about music or fame. It’s about a man who allegedly used his access and influence to poison a system already fraught with inequality and risk. As the case progresses, one thing is clear, the consequences of Arencibia’s actions, if proven, will echo far beyond the courtroom.
Pwomotè Mizik oswa Dilan Dwòg? Dekadans Boris Arencibia
Boris Arencibia te konnen kòm yon gwo pwomotè mizik ak ajan boksè nan mond lan amizman. Men jodi a, li gen yon lòt etikèt, li se yon kondane federal. Gason sa a, ki se yon sitwayen Kiben-Ameriken, te fè tèt li tande atravè evènman tankou Santa María Music Fest an Kiba. Men daprè otorite federal yo, li te tou nan mitan yon rezo kriminèl ki t ap vann medikaman fo, lave lajan, epi li te gen koneksyon ak trafikè dwòg.
Soti nan Limyè Sèn pou rive nan Limyè Jistis
Arencibia te bati yon repitasyon kòm yon moun ki konekte vedèt ak evènman. Li te mete sou pye gwo festival, epi li te jere karyè boksè tankou Guillermo Rigondeaux. Men, selon sa otorite yo dekouvri, pandan li t ap fè promosyon mizik, li t ap jere tou yon biznis sekrè ki pi danjere.
Akizasyon: Vann Medikaman Fo ak Lave Lajan
Depi anviwon lane 2013 pou rive 2019, pwokirè federal yo di Arencibia te patisipe nan trafik medikaman ki pa bon, ki fo oswa ki pa make jan lalwa mande. Medikaman sa yo te enkli medikaman pou maladi mantal, kansè, ak VIH/SIDA. Se pa ti jwèt, se medikaman pou sove lavi yo ki t ap sikile nan yon rezo ilegal ki te rapòte plizyè milyon dola.
Yo akize Arencibia kòm youn nan moun ki te jwe yon gwo wòl nan distribisyon medikaman sa yo epi ki te lave plis pase $400,000 nan lajan sal. Sepandan, otorite yo panse kantite total la pi plis toujou.
Nan kòmansman ane 2024, FBI te arete Arencibia lakay li nan Miami-Dade. Men sa pa t fen istwa a. Yon jij federal te refize bay li libète sou kosyon, li di gen twòp risk pou li kouri al Kiba epi li te ka entimide temwen yo. Dosye vwayaj li montre li te ale Kiba plizyè fwa, gen youn ladan yo ki te ilegal. Pwokirè yo di li te menm itilize youn nan festival mizik li yo pou ranmase lajan pou yon trafikè dwòg ki sou lis federal yo.
Ka Arencibia a ap trete nan Tribinal Federal Distrik Sid Florid. Li fè fas ak plizyè akizasyon federal, tankou konplo pou vann medikaman fo, distribisyon medikaman ki pa regilye, ak lave lajan. Nimewo dosye a se 19-CR-20674-DPG.
Nan mwa avril 2025, yo te mete nouvo dosye ankò kont li, ak lòt dokiman ki gen rapò ak sezi byen ki soti nan aktivite ilegal yo. Nouvo ka a gen nimewo 1:25-cr-20154.
Gen rapò ki di li te deja aksepte yon akò kote li te pase sis mwa nan prizon federal ak twa lane sou siveyans. Men, sa ka gen rapò ak lòt dosye ki pa menm ak sa aktyèl la. Nan nouvo ka a, li ka pran jiska 40 ane prizon si yo jwenn li koupab.
Dosye sa a mete plis limyè sou koneksyon Arencibia ak gouvènman Kiben an, ak jan li te fasil pou li rantre ak soti nan mitan rezo legal ak ilegal. Gen kritik ki di festival mizik ak pwomosyon boksè li yo te souvan sèvi kòm mask pou aktivite kriminèl yo.
Apre arestasyon li, anpil moun kòmanse mete distans ak li. Kominote Kiben-Ameriken nan Miami ap swiv dosye a ak anpil enterè pandan jistis ap pran wout li.
Desant Arencibia soti nan gwo non nan mizik pou rive akize kòm trafikè dwòg se yon egzanp klè sou jan li fasil pou lwa ak lòd brase ak mond amizman an. Sa li swadizan fè se pa sèlman sou mizik oswa popilarite, men sou jan li itilize enfliyans li pou mete lavi moun an danje. Pandan dosye a ap avanse, sa klè ke konsekans aksyon li yo, si yo konfime, ap frape pi lwen pase sal tribinal la.
