MIAMI, Fla. (WFLA) – The Coast Guard returned 23 migrants attempting to illegally enter the U.S. on Saturday to move smugglers to Homeland Security for an investigation.
Coast Guard Miami was notified on Tuesday by customs and border security air and marine operations on two “recreation vessels” suspected of human smuggling.
Coast Guard boat crews intercepted both vessels and the release said all 24 people had been moved to Coast Guard cutters for disposal and disposal.
“The Coast Guard and our federal, state and local partners are committed to US maritime border security in Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands,” CMDR Naka said. John W. Beale, 7th Coast Guard District Public Relations Officer. “We will continue to enforce US laws, protect maritime borders from illegal entry and defend through coordinated efforts on land, air and maritime, and do not take us to the sea.”
The policy is that in line with US law, all human smuggling cases will be investigated for federal prosecutors.