U.S. Coast Guard

News Release Date: Nov. 4, 2008

Contact: Petty Officer 3rd Class Nick Ameen
305-415-6683

Coast Guard interdicts, repatriates 24 Cuban migrants

MIAMI -- The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Ocracoke repatriated 24 Cuban migrants Tuesday to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba, from two seperate interdictions at sea within the past 11 days.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Drummond interdicted a go-fast vessel carrying 17 migrants and one suspected smuggler 22 miles east of Miami Wednesday. The Drummond crew safely embarked the 14 adults and three children and transferred the suspected smuggler to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The Ocracoke crew interdicted a rustic vessel carrying seven Cuban migrants 78 miles south of Key West, Fla., Oct. 25.

Once aboard Coast Guard cutters, all migrants are provided with food, water, shelter and necessary medical attention.

The Ocracoke and the Drummond are 110-foot patrol boats homeported in Miami.

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http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/586/238818/