The U.S. Coast Guard reported it had repatriated more than 100 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabanas, Cuba, within the last week and transferred two suspected smugglers to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The two suspected smugglers, whose names were not disclosed, were apprehended last Monday when Coast Guard officials interdicted a go-fast boat about 35 miles south of Dry Tortugas. Thirty migrants were aboard the vessel, according to Coast Guard officials.
The two suspected smugglers were sent to Customs and Border Protection officials in Key West. It's unclear what charges had been filed against the two suspects.
Coast Guard officials said they apprehended several groups of migrants attempting to reach U.S. shore within the last week. Among them were four migrants on a rustic vessel 50 miles south of Key West; eight from two rustic vessels 59 miles south of Key West and 40 miles south of Marathon; and 10 from two makeshift vessels 35 miles south of Marathon and 52 miles southwest of Key West.
Eighteen other Cubans were picked up off a rustic vessel 65 miles south of Key West on Wednesday. Coast Guard crews intercepted 45 migrants in five separate case on Monday.