MIAMI, Fla. (WFLA) — The Coast Guard returned 23 migrants making an attempt to enter the U.S. illegally to the Bahamas on Saturday and transferred a suspected smuggler to Homeland Safety for investigation.
In line with a launch, the Coast Guard Sector Miami had been notified by Customs and Border Safety Air and Marine Operations on Tuesday of two “leisure vessels” suspected of human smuggling.
A Coast Guard boat crew intercepted each vessels and the discharge stated all 24 individuals aboard had been transferred to a Coast Guard cutter for processing and disposition.
“The Coast Guard and our federal, state, and native companions are dedicated to U.S. maritime border safety in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands,” stated Lt. Cmdr. John W. Beal, Seventh Coast Guard District Public Affairs Officer. “We are going to proceed to implement U.S. legal guidelines and defend our maritime borders from unlawful entry by means of coordinated efforts on land, within the air, and at sea. Don’t take to the ocean.”
In line with U.S. regulation, it’s coverage that every one human smuggling incidents be investigated for federal prosecution.
