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MIAMI, Fla. (WFLA) — The Coast Guard returned 23 migrants attempting to enter the U.S. illegally to the Bahamas on Saturday and transferred a suspected smuggler to Homeland Security for investigation.
According to a release, the Coast Guard Sector Miami were notified by Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations on Tuesday of two “recreational vessels” suspected of human smuggling.
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Credit: U.S. Coast Guard Southeast -
Credit: U.S. Coast Guard Southeast -
Credit: U.S. Coast Guard Southeast
A Coast Guard boat crew intercepted both vessels and the release said all 24 people aboard were transferred to a Coast Guard cutter for processing and disposition.
“The Coast Guard and our federal, state, and local partners are committed to U.S. maritime border security in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said Lt. Cmdr. John W. Beal, Seventh Coast Guard District Public Affairs Officer. “We will continue to enforce U.S. laws and defend our maritime borders from illegal entry through coordinated efforts on land, in the air, and at sea. Don’t take to the sea.”
Consistent with U.S. law, it is policy that all human smuggling incidents be investigated for federal prosecution.
