Man faces severe penalties after being caught operating illegal machine

Cuban authorities found a man illegally operating a homemade gold-processing machine on his farm in Las Tunas province, reported CubaHeadlines.

Police found the man using a homemade trommel, a basic rotating drum that separates gold from dirt, at his farm in Jobabo municipality's El 45 area. Authorities say the dirt has questionable origins, as it appeared on the farm without explanation.

This bust follows a pattern of enforcement actions across Cuba's eastern provinces. Jobabo authorities detained eight people for harvesting and selling gold particles earlier this year, according to the Las Tunas provincial government.

Santa Clara police also disbanded an unlawful digging site in March, seizing machinery that included a mill, as reported by government spokesperson Henry Omar Pérez, per CubaHeadlines.

The scope doesn't stop at individual operations. Camagüey courts handled approximately 30 people connected to nine mineral collection cases last year, Cubadebate reported. Cuban Customs also intercepted gold hidden in airport luggage that totaled 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds), split across four bars, at José Martí International Airport in March, per CubaHeadlines.

Unlawful gold collection damages ecosystems through multiple pathways. These activities contaminate water supplies with heavy metals and sediment, destroy soil structure, and eliminate vegetation that prevents erosion.

Wildlife habitats also disappear when miners clear land and dig sites. These operations proceed without environmental safeguards or restoration plans and leave permanent scars on once-beautiful landscapes.

The practice also feeds shadow economies that bypass official channels. Black market mineral trading creates unregulated financial networks and drains natural resources from communities that rely on them. Cuba's tough financial conditions have been blamed for pushing residents toward these risky ventures, especially when traditional income sources fail to meet basic needs.

If you spot suspicious digging activities in your area, report them to local environmental authorities immediately. Support legitimate economic development programs and conservation initiatives to help communities find sustainable alternatives to harmful collection practices.

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