32 Cuban Migrants Repatriated by Coast Guard After CBP Aircraft Detects Boat 55 Miles South of Marathon, Fla.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Sawfish repatriated 32 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabanas, Cuba Wednesday after they were spotted by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection surveillance aircraft.

The CBP Air and Marine DASH-8 aircraft, based in Homestead, Fla., spotted a go-fast vessel traveling at a high rate of speed 55 miles south of Marathon, Fla., February 23. The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Vigorous also located and tracked the vessel while boat crews from Coast Guard Station Key West, Fla. and CBP’s Key West, Fla. unit closed in on the go-fast.

The two agencies boat crews stopped the boat 22 miles south of Big Pine Key, Fla., where the crew of the Vigorous embarked 32 Cuban migrants. The two suspected smugglers also were detained for possible prosecution.

Once on board the Coast Guard cutters, all migrants receive food, water and any necessary medical treatment.

Source DHS