We've gone on for years.

Has this been asked before: How did Roth know that that the $2 million never made it to the island?

I think I speculated about that, Oli. Seems to me that since Roth was so tight with Batista, he probably was able to get the customs people to report to him if Michael had brought a substantial amount of cash into the country. That's probably how he knew that "your brother Fredo brought a bagful of money," rather than his "sixth sense." He might also have arranged to have their hotel rooms tossed while they were out. Or, he could have had the hotel management report if either Michael or Fredo had stashed anything in the hotel safe.

I'm guessing that, since Cuba was a gambler's paradise, the country put no restrictions on the amount of cash brought in. But, then as now, US Customs limited Americans to taking out only $10k in cash. I wonder how Fredo got the $2 million out of the US? (He probably told the Customs people, "Coppola and Puzo wrote it into the script.")

I just think that it was an awkward expression from Roth. He's telling Michael what Michael already knows: the money is not yet in Cuba.

Now, at the time that Roth makes that statement to Michael, there is no indication that Fredo was in or on his way to Cuba. So, any intelligence that Roth had access to would be moot at that point. That gets proven by Roth's statement to Michael later (after Fredo arrives with the money) about the bag in your room.

Brilliant acting indeed
Also the way Michael's eyes slowly travel up and down, Kay's stomach where the 'son' had been

The times Michael raised his voice
1. Rocco Lampone - Rocco Alive!
2. Tom - Now can't you give me a straight answer anymore? Was it a boy?
3. Kay - You won't take my children! You won't take my children!

The way Michael was swaying in fury, too furious even to speak, when Rocco was pleading with him to stay inside

I don't wanna hear about it Over

INT. ROTH'S SUITE IN HAVANA - MED. CLOSE VIEW ON ROTH - DAY

His wizened face, pale. Right now, though, his eyes have a
sparkle as he watches three million dollars in cold cash
being counted on a card table in front of him.
A deleted scene from the script...

His brother Sam is present, and the sandy-haired Courier, a
little nervous; the one who had left from the Tropicana with
the Corleone skim-money. Also Johnny Ola. The money is
evidently all there; Roth picks up a packet; probably a
hundred thousand dollars, and throws it over to the Courier.

ROTH
Make it fast; I don't want to
chance him being seen.


COURIER
(frightened)
What about the arrangements? How
can I be sure about the arrangements?

OLA
Relax. You're under our protection;
the Corleone family will never find
you.

Ola leads the Courier to the adjoining room where two
smartly dressed Military (Cuban) Police are standing, and a
civilian. The Courier sees them, looks back to Ola. One of
the police steps forward, placing the Courier under arrest;
handcuffing him.

COURIER
Hey, what's this?

The other takes the packet of money, and hands it to the
civilian, who places it in the briefcase he carries. The
other officer kneels down and fastens leg manacles.

COURIER
The arrangements... YOU BASTARDS!
What...

The Captain strikes him expertly across the side of his head
with his pistol.

Ola closes the door on this scene.


So Roth robbed the courier in Havana. Michael sent the next multi-million dollar shipment with
Fredo, someone he trusted at that point. I assume now that Roth new that Michael would send
the next shipment with Fredo, and it paid off when Fredo betrayed Michael and saved Roth's life.