MIAMI, USA — The Coast Guard, along with Air and Marine Operations, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) halted a migrant smuggling operation Wednesday, approximately 14 miles east of Haulover Inlet.
A CBP AMO aircraft crew spotted a 25-foot pleasure craft travelling approximately 14 miles east of Haulover Inlet and vectored two CBP surface asset crews to the scene. The CBP crews embarked the 11 Haitian males, four Haitian females, one Bahamian male, one Bahamian female and transferred them to the Coast Guard Cutter Manatee (WPB-87363) crew.
The smuggler was transferred ashore to CBP custody and the interdicted migrants were repatriated to Freeport, The Bahamas.
“People should never trust these criminal organizations with their lives,” said Lt. Cmdr. Juan Carlos Avila, Coast Guard Sector Miami chief of enforcement. “Attempting to smuggle yourself into the country via the maritime environment is both extremely dangerous and illegal. With the consistent danger these smuggling ventures present, our crews and partner agencies remain persistently vigilant to protect lives and enforce federal laws.”
The Coast Guard has interdicted approximately 402 Haitian migrants who have attempted to illegally enter the US via the maritime environment in fiscal year 2020, which began October 1, 2019, compared to 885 Haitian migrants in fiscal year 2019. These numbers represent the total number of at-sea interdictions, landings and disruptions in the Florida Straits, the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean.
Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention. Throughout the interdiction Coast Guard crewmembers were equipped with personal protective equipment to minimize potential exposure to any possible case of COVID-19.
