Efforts between U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Coast Guard, and Homeland Security Investigations resulted in the arrest of 15 illegal aliens attempting to enter the U.S.
WASHINGTON — On March 11, at 11:45 p.m. EST, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) crew successfully interdicted a suspected smuggling vessel and apprehended 15 illegal aliens in a failed nighttime smuggling attempt off the coast of Miami.
“Human smuggling operations at sea put lives at serious risk. This mission highlights the success that DHS’s hard-working law enforcement officers can achieve when working jointly with other agencies and state and local government officials,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis, “We are thankful to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, our U.S. Coast Guard Service members, and Homeland Security Investigations who protect this nation’s maritime borders and help dismantle criminal organizations that try to smuggle illegal aliens into the country.”
The crew aboard the CBP boat attempted to initiate a stop on the unknown vessel, which was running without lights to avoid detection. Our officers observed one adult male Bahamian operating the vessel and discovered 14 additional occupants onboard: four Dominican male adults, three Ecuadorian male adults, one Haitian male adult, one Haitian male minor, and five Haitian adult females.
A nearby Lauderdale Marine Unit vessel assisted in securing the scene and transporting all occupants to the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) William Flores for processing.
USCGC Flores‘ crew returned 11 of the illegal aliens to their origin country, the Bahamas, on Sunday.
The other four illegal aliens were subsequently arrested by DHS’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and are facing charges for human smuggling and illegal re-entry.
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