Ómar Ambuila, former DIAN official in the port of Buenaventura, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison for the United States justice after being found guilty of money laundering.
According to Timethe sentence was issued by Judge Virginia Hernández Covington, of the District Court for the Middle District of Florida, after Ambuila accepted the charges in January 2023.
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The case, which involves a network of smuggling and illicit financial operations, came to light after the ostentation of luxuries of his daughter Jenny on social networks, which were financed with money of illicit origin.
The investigation revealed that Ambuila, who worked at the DIAN since 1992, He used his position as head of the Internal Load Control Working Group to allow the entry of smuggling goods in exchange for bribes. Between 2012 and 2016, the former official would have participated in meetings in Miami to coordinate money laundering to the United States.
According to official documents presented at the trial, Ambuila channeled approximately 1 million dollars through accomplicesfunds that were later used to acquire luxury goods, such as a Porsche Cayenne in 2013 and a Lamborghini Huracán Spyder between 2016 and 2017.
The researcher Joseph Palazzo and his team documented the existence of 25 bank accounts in the United States and Colombia linked to the money laundering scheme. These accounts, associated with fictitious entities and ghost societies, were used for international transfers that benefited the Ambuila family.
In addition, between January 2014 and March 2016, transfers were made from Colombia through a recognized shipping firm, whose receipts showed that the funds were channeled by at least three intermediaries before being deposited in an accomplice accounts in the United States. According to the aforementioned medium, this method reflected a sophisticated money laundering scheme.
During the trial, additional evidence was presented that evidenced Ambuila’s abuse of power. On one occasion, crossing the border to the United States, he declared to carry $ 10,000 in cash, but after an inspection, the authorities found $ 21,000. In addition, it was discovered that in a purchase of a luxury vehicle, Ambuila passed through a retired professional footballer to hide the illicit origin of the funds.
The case also presented the participation of others involved in the smuggling and money laundering network. According to the AP agency, A Nephew of Diego Marín, aka Dad Smur exhibited by Jenny Ambuila on social networks. These publications, which showed an extravagant lifestyle, were key for authorities to track the origin of resources.
The capture of Ómar Ambuila in Colombia occurred in March 2019, along with his wife Elba Chará and his daughter Jenny, after the media scandal generated by the images of the young woman’s luxuries. However, in June 2020, the family was released due to the expiration of terms. Subsequently, the United States requested the extradition of Ambuila, which was approved by the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice in May 2023. Finally, in November of that year, an DEA plane transferred the former official to US territory.
In the sentence, Judge Hernández Covington also ordered three years of supervised freedom after the fulfillment of the conviction. Although Ambuila has the possibility of appealing, its acceptance of guilt last January could make any attempt to reduce the penalty difficult. According to the Court’s recommendation, The former official will serve his sentence in the Federal Correctional Institution of Miami.
Ambuila’s conviction represents a significant step in the fight against money laundering and contraband networks operating in the region.
