Cuban Man Who Smuggled Dodger Slugger Yasiel Puig Into LA Speaks Out

STUDIO CITY (CBSLA.com) — A man who helped smuggle the Dodger star Yasiel Puig into the U.S. spoke out on Friday.

KCAL9's Rachel Kim shared the unusual journey Puig took with Jorge Guerra from Cuba to Los Angeles.

According to Guerra, he was never involved or initially made aware of the plan to smuggle Puig from Cuba in April 2012.

Guerra told the Spanish version of the Miami Herald that what he thought was a trip with friends to the Cayman Islands from Mexico quickly turned to picking Puig up in Cuba and smuggling him into Los Angeles.

Paralyzed in fear, Guerra explained to his friends that he could not travel back to Cuba because he stole a government boat in 2001.

"I was so scared they were going to catch me in Cuba because I was wanted for stealing a boat from the government that I used to get to the U.S.," said Guerra.

When the group reached the Cuban coast, Puig and three others boarded, however, they went to Cancun to party before traveling to the U.S.

Guerra said he became close with Puig while traveling.

"He would even wear my underwear and use my toothbrush," Guerra said. "We got along great."

Guerra claimed that Puig promised to buy him a car when they got to Miami and offered almost $500,000 to pay for traveling if he signed a contract with the Dodgers.

All Guerra received, however, were empty promises and no form of payment.

Soon after smuggling Puig into the U.S., Guerra started getting threats believed to come from other smugglers who did not want to share the money.

Seeking protection, Guerra decided to turn for help from attorneys.

"I'm seeking protection because I'm getting threats," Guerra said. "Three months ago I had to leave Miami because of it."

His intention of doing the interview was in hope that justice will be served against Puig.