Cubans die in suspected smuggling operation

Cubans die in suspected smuggling operation

MIAMI, Florida (AP) -- Two Cuban women died when they were trapped
underneath a boat that capsized during a suspected migrant smuggling
operation in the Straits of Florida, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
The 28-foot (8.5-meter) speedboat with 37 people aboard was taking on
water in 4-to-6-foot (1-to-2-meter) seas on Saturday when a Coast Guard
cutter found it, Petty Officer Dana Warr said.
A rescue boat was launched, and crew members gave life jackets to
everyone aboard, Warr said. The Coast Guard crew removed 15 people from
the boat and transferred them to the cutter on the scene, about 65 miles
(100 kilometers) south of Key West.
As the rescue crew returned to the boat, it capsized under a wave and
dumped 22 people into the water.
All but two people were rescued, and the bodies of two women wearing
life jackets were found early Sunday under the boat, the Coast Guard
said. The women were identified by relatives in the group, but their
names were not released.
"There were 37 people on a 28-foot boat, and it was grossly overloaded,
probably beyond the specifications of that boat," Warr said.
The 35 Cubans and the two bodies have been transferred to a Coast Guard
cutter. The bodies were being transferred to the Monroe County medical
examiner in Key West, Florida, Warr said.
One suspected smuggler was among the group, whose members will be
interviewed by U.S. officials to determine their status, Warr said. The
Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement was investigating, said
Barbara Gonzalez, an ICE spokeswoman in Miami.
Under U.S. policy, Cuban migrants intercepted at sea are usually
returned to Cuba, while those who reach U.S. soil are generally allowed
to stay.
This weekend's incident is the second in less than a month where a Cuban
migrant died at sea.
On Wednesday, two men pleaded guilty to organizing a smuggling trip that
resulted in the death of a 6-year-old boy. In that case, a speedboat
loaded with 31 people capsized as it fled the Coast Guard, but only the
boy died.
Alexander Gil Rodriguez, 25, and Luis Manuel Taboada Cabrera, 28, both
Cuban nationals who had immigrated to Miami, will face a maximum
sentence of 10 years and fine of $250,000 at a January 24 hearing.

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press.

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