MIAMI, United States. – Miami Sector Border Patrol agents found six Cuban migrants locked up by smugglers in the back of a van this Thursday, reported on Twitter Agent Walter N. Slosar.
“The alleged smuggler was arrested. The event is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations,” Slosar said.
The six Cubans were rescued at a traffic stop in the city of Opa Locka, near Miami.
Every week, dozens of Cuban migrants approach the coast of Florida on rafts or arrive at the southern border of the country, after crossing several Central American countries.
Those who make the journey by sea are generally intercepted by agents of the United States Coast Guard and are later deported to the Island.
“The possibility of being apprehended by Coast Guard crews while illegally migrating through the Straits of Florida is extremely high,” said Lieutenant Commander Mark Cobb of the 7th Coast Guard District. “No one should risk their lives on unsafe rustic boats in unpredictable seas,” he added.
Since October 1, 2021, the beginning of the current fiscal year, US Coast Guard crews have intercepted 3,994 Cubans, a figure that exceeds the number of migrants from the island intercepted each fiscal year from 2017 to 2021.
According to the agency, the statistics have behaved as follows: 5,396 Cubans intercepted in fiscal year 2016; 1,468 in 2017; 259 in 2018; 313 in 2019; 49 in 2020 and 838 in 2021.
Last Tuesday, the crew of the Coast Guard cutter Pablo Valent repatriated 107 Cuban rafters who had been intercepted by Coast Guard agents in nine rescue operations off the coast of Florida, according to an official statement.
“The Coast Guard and our partners patrol the Florida Straits, Windward and Mona Passages to stop illegal migration into the United States from the sea,” said Lieutenant Commander Mark Cobb, Coast Guard District Seven. “Those who are rescued or detained will be returned to their country of origin, or to the country from which they departed,” he added.
A week ago, the crew of the Issac Mayo launch also repatriated 36 Cubans and transferred four other Cuban nationals to the Department of Homeland Security Investigations for “further questioning,” according to a Coast Guard statement.
“This year our forces have significantly increased patrolling with the intent of finding people in distress and rescuing migrants from dangerous and extremely overloaded vessels,” said Coast Guard District Seven Chief Enforcement Capt. Robert Kinsey.
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