PHOTO RELEASE: Coast Guard interdicts 11 migrants, 2 suspected smugglers 12 miles east of Government Cut 

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News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast
Contact: 7th District Public Affairs
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Coast Guard interdicts 11 migrants, 2 suspected smugglers 12 miles east of Government Cut 

Members of the Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered (WPC-1104) help migrants transfer from the cutter's small boat to the cutter after the crew interdicted 11 migrants and two suspected smugglers Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018 approximately 12 miles east of Miami. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Lally  

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MIAMI — The Coast Guard interdicted 11 migrants and two suspected smugglers Saturday approximately 12 miles east of Government Cut.

The Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered (WPC-1104) 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

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-USCG-