Marine crews from U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations and the U.S. Coast Guard interdicted 13 Cuban migrants off the coast near Dania Beach this morning.
Marine interdiction agents from the Fort Lauderdale Marine Unit detected the rustic vessel and notified the Coast Guard.
As the agents interdicted the rustic, the migrants were compliant and given life jackets.
“Training, skill and commitment of our agents allowed us to safely interdict these migrants attempting to enter the country illegally,” said William Gibbon, director of the Miami Air and Marine Branch.
“Our partnerships, and the commitment of our highly trained and skilled agents resulted in another safe migrant interdiction.”
Two CBP Air and Marine Operations marine crews and Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale crew arrived on scene, interdicted and safely embarked them to a Coast Guard cutter.
“The quick action by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations units stopping this vessel, and coordination by Coast Guard assets who were on scene immediately after helped facilitate the safe interdiction of this illegal migration attempt,” said Commander Jason Aleksak, Chief of Response for Coast Guard Sector Miami.
Safety of life at sea is a top priority.
AMO maintains an active and fully engaged cadre of coastal patrol vessels and aircraft aggressively patrolling the Florida coastline to detect and deter illegal and unsafe maritime migration.
The mission of Air and Marine Operations is to serve and protect the American people.
AMO applies advanced aeronautical and maritime capabilities and employs a unique skill set to preserve America’s security interest.
Partnership efforts and community involvement are extremely important to U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s mission.
CBP asks you to report maritime smuggling and other suspicious activities through 1-800-BE-ALERT or after hours toll-free number 1-800- 562-5943.
(See an overview of CBP Air and Marine enforcement and security operations from San Diego to Puerto Rico. Marine agents explain the unique capabilities of the their operations and skills that separate them from all other federal law enforcement agency operations. Courtesy of the CBP and YouTube)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry.
CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
