MIAMI — The Coast Guard interdicted 12 Chinese migrants and two suspected smugglers on July 23 about 13 miles east of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Coast Guard 7th District said in a release.
The Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark (WPC-1101) crew located the motor yacht, Carefree, with 14 people aboard during a patrol and safely embarked the 12 Chinese migrants and two potential smugglers.
The two suspected smugglers were taken into U.S. Department of Homeland Security custody and the 12 migrants were transferred to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations custody.
“The Coast Guard maintains a focused and coordinated effort with multiple agency assets to interdict criminals in any attempt to unlawfully smuggle migrants by sea to the United States,” said Lt. Ray Lopez, chief of enforcement at Coast Guard Sector Miami. “Migrants should not attempt to smuggle themselves into the country. They not only risk going to jail but also endanger their lives by entrusting smugglers to bring them across the water with little or no lifesaving equipment on board.”
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