MIAMI, United States (CMC) — The United States Coast Guard says the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark repatriated 31 migrants to Cuba, Wednesday, following multiple interdictions in the Florida Straits.

The coast guard said the first interdiction occurred Friday morning when Sector Key West watchstanders received a report from the Coast Guard Cutter Walnut of an “unlawful migrant voyage 38 miles southwest of Marquesas, Florida”.

“The cutter Walnut crew arrived on scene and safely embarked the migrants,” it said.

The US Coast Guard said the second interdiction occurred that afternoon after an Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew detected a migrant vessel 23 miles north of Matanzas, Cuba.

Sector Key West watchstanders diverted the cutter Walnut crew who arrived on scene and safely embarked the migrants, the US Coast Guard said.

It said the final interdiction occurred Saturday morning when Sector Key West watchstanders received a report from “a good Samaritan” of a migrant venture 23 miles south of Plantation Key, Florida.

Coast Guard Station Islamorada boat crews arrived on scene and safely embarked the migrants, US Coast Guard said.

“Safe, orderly and legal migration is in the best interest of both the United States and our partner nations in the Caribbean,” said Lieutenant Commander Juan Ramirez, Coast Guard Seventh District Staff Attorney. “Our highest priority is to prevent the tragic loss of life at sea.”

The US Coast Guard said it and its US Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast partners “will continue to be a presence in the air and on the waters to detect and deter migrants from attempting to unlawfully enter the US by sea”.