Coast Guard interdicts 8 Cuban Migrants on Cay Sal

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast Contact: 7th District Public Affairs Office: 305-415-6683 After Hours: 786-367-7649 7th District online newsroom

Coast Guard interdicts 8 Cuban Migrants on Cay Sal

CAY SAL, Bs. — The Coast Guard interdicted 8 migrants Sunday on Cay Sal attempting to illegally enter the United States.

Coast Guard 7th District watchstanders received a notification from a Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft crew reporting two people hiding in nearby bushes. The Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton (WPC-1108) crew arrived on scene and deployed a boarding team ashore to investigate the situation. The Charles Sexton boarding team was able to locate the eight Cuban nationals and embarked them with no medical concerns.

The 8 Cuban nationals were transferred to Bahamian Immigration officials in Freeport, Bahamas by the Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered (WPC-1104) crew and will be transferred back to their home of origin.

"Illegal migration voyages are extremely dangerous when transporting human lives on these unseaworthy vessels, and put the safety of those aboard in jeopardy," said Petty Officer Second Class Jeffrey Swope, Command Center Watchstander, Sector Key West. "The Coast Guard remains consistent with the mission of protecting the safety of life at sea and interdicting these vessels in an effort to prevent the loss of life"

Coast Guard Cutters Robert Yered and Charles Sexton are 154-foot fast response cutters homeported in Florida.

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