MIAMI – Coast Guard Cutter Winslow Griesser’s crew transferred 11 aliens of mixed nationalities to Bahamian immigration authorities in Freeport, Bahamas, Thursday.
The aliens were interdicted after a good Samaritan reported an allision with their unlit and disabled vessel to the Coast Guard, Monday.
“Our highest priorities are maritime border security and to prevent the unnecessary loss of life at sea,” said Lt. Thomas Pease, a Seventh Coast Guard District enforcement officer. “Anyone trying to enter the country illegally by sea will be interdicted and repatriated to their country of origin or the country they departed from, consistent with U.S. law and policy.”
The good Samaritan notified Seventh Coast Guard District watchstanders after striking an unlit, disabled vessel approximately two miles east of Port Everglades, early Monday morning. A Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale boat crew arrived on scene and discovered the illegal aliens on the vessel. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Richard Snyder took the aliens aboard pending their disposition.
Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, aliens are processed to determine their identity and are provided food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention before repatriation to their country of origin or return to the country from which they departed.
“Mariners and recreational boaters who encounter alien vessels at sea are asked to contact the U.S. Coast Guard via marine VHF radio on Channel 16 and report their GPS location,” said Petty Officer First Class Diana Sherbs, a Seventh Coast Guard District public affairs specialist. “Individuals who suspect human smuggling ventures at sea can report suspicious criminal activity to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423.”
Three other aliens were transferred ashore to U.S. Border Patrol Miami Sector agents for further investigation by Homeland Security Investigations Miami field office.
The Coast Guard, along with its Homeland Security Task Force-Southeast partners, maintains a continual presence with air, land, and sea assets in the Florida Straits, the Windward Passage, the Mona Passage, and the Caribbean Sea in support of Operation Vigilant Sentry as part of the broader federal border control and territorial integrity mission. The HSTF-SE combined, multi-layered approach is designed to protect the safety of life at sea while preventing illegal entry to the United States and its territories by sea.
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