Coast Guard interdicts 9 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 9 Cuban Migrants on Cay Sal

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CAY SAL, Bahamas — The Coast Guard interdicted nine Cuban migrants Friday on Cay Sal.

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 nine Cuban nationals and embarked them with no medical concerns.

The nine 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.

"It's the second time this month that we've seen a case like this and its why maintain our presence in the Carribean Sea and Florida Straits," said Lt. Patrick Leavitt, command duty officer at Coast Guard 7th District. "The Coast Guard will remain consistent with the missions of protecting the safety of life at sea and enforcing our federal laws."

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

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