MIAMI – The U.S. Coast Guard repatriated 45 Cuban people back to their country on Sunday.
The Cubans were found during four different interdictions off the Florida Keys last week.
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One boat was found on Wednesday at approximately 11:30 p.m. about 12 miles south of Boot Key.
Three boats were then located on Friday within about 15 minutes of each other between 17 and 22 miles south of Big Pine Key.
“The possibility of being stopped by Coast Guard crews while illegally migrating through the Caribbean Sea is high,” said Lt. Cmdr. Mark Cobb, of the Coast Guard Seventh District. “No one should risk their lives on unsafe rustic vessels in unpredictable seas.”
According to officials, Coast Guard crews have interdicted 2,464 Cubans since Oct. 1 of last year.