U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Interdicts 11 Migrants, Including 2 Suspected Smugglers
By Space Coast Daily // December 13, 2018
'migrant smuggling operations and ventures seek to exploit our maritime border'
The Coast Guard interdicted 11 migrants and two suspected smugglers Saturday approximately 12 miles east of Government Cut.
The Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered crew located an unlit 26-foot vessel approximately 12 miles east of Government Cut.
The cutter Robert Yered crew safely embarked the seven Haitians, three Bahamians, two Ecuadorians, one Bolivian and transferred them ashore to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Custody, Sunday.
“These migrant smuggling operations and ventures seek to exploit our maritime border and the short distances between Caribbean nations like the Bahamas and the United States,” said Cmdr. Luis Rodriguez, Coast Guard 7th District deputy chief of enforcement.
“It is through our close interagency and allied networks that we are able to interdict, safely embark, and send a clear message that those attempting to enter the country illegally by sea will be returned to their country of origin, and this case is no exception.”
Once aboard Coast Guard cutters, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and medical attention.
The Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered is a 154-foot sentinel class cutter in Miami, Florida.
Related Story:Coast Guard Repatriates 74 Migrants to Dominican Republic Following At-Sea Interdictions off Puerto Rico
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