MIAMI — Coast Guard Cutter Winslow Griesser’s crew transferred 15 aliens to The Bahamas, Friday, following an interdiction 22 miles east of Miami Beach.
The transfer came after a U.S. Customs Border Protection Air and Marine Operations law enforcement crew interdicted the vessel carrying 19 aliens, Aug. 18, 22 miles east of Miami Beach.
Four of the aliens were transferred to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.
Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, interdicted aliens are processed to determine their identity and are provided food, water, shelter and basic medical attention before disposition.
“This successful interdiction is a clear demonstration of our unwavering resolve to secure America’s maritime borders,” said Lt. Cmdr. Justin Dadlani, Coast Guard liaison officer to The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands. “Collaboration between the partners within the Department of Homeland Security and Bahamian authorities is a critical component of our national security strategy, acting as a force multiplier that allows us to detect and neutralize threats before they reach our shores. Every migrant vessel interdicted at sea is a victory for border security and a blow to the criminal networks that exploit human lives for profit. We are grateful for our partners’ commitment, and together, we will continue to use every available asset to defend our nation against illegal entry and maintain the integrity of our borders.”
The Coast Guard, along with its Operation Vigilant Sentry 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. The OVS combined, multilayered approach is designed to protect the safety of life at sea while preventing unlawful maritime entry to the United States and its territories.
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