The USCG Fights Spate of Illegal Immigration
The US Coast Guard apprehended two Bahamians and 26 illegal immigrants, including 24 Haitians and two Ecuadorians illegally, into the United States of Florida.
Immigration officials said that all of them reportedly left Freeport around midnight last Thursday onboard a 30ft Scarab, their speedboat experienced engine trouble 17 miles off the Florida coast. The disabled boat was spotted by a passing private vessel which alerted the US Coast Guard. The USCG Cutter Bernard C Webber responded, took the group onboard and transported them to Lucayan Harbour, where they were turned over to the Bahamas Immigration authorities.
Mr Cooper also reported that a 16-year-old girl, who was born in the Bahamas, was also among the group. He said the group was processed at Immigration Headquarters. The Bahamian men are expected to be charged in court this week.
In an another incident 17 persons, consisting of 14 Haitians, three Jamaicans and one Ecuadorian, were picked up by the US Coast Guard in the area of Memory Rock off West End, Grand Bahama, on Saturday afternoon and are expected to be brought to Freeport and turned over to Immigration officials at Lucayan Harbour.
Mr Cooper also reported that the USCG spotted a third group of 22 Cubans discovered stranded for a few days on a cay with a lighthouse. The USCG is expected to arrive with them early this week at Lucayan Harbour, where they will be turned over to Immigration authorities.
Source: The Tribune 242
