By Wendy Anders

Costa Rican police made their second discovery this week of undocumented Cuban migrants in the country, this time in a boat in the southern Costa Rican border region.

The Costa Rican border police intercepted a motor boat and detained the boat’s captain, a 53-year-old Costa Rican man from Puntarenas province named López, after discovering five Cubans aboard without entry stamps into the country, said police.

The boat was detained when it was docked at the public pier of Golfito, and López, who had a 22-caliber pistol, was found to have his cargo permit expired. He will be investigated by the prosecutor’s office for charges of human trafficking and illegal possession of a firearm, explained police spokesmen.

In the meantime, the U.S. Coast Guard reporte that since Dec. 30, 2016 they have made 12 separate at-sea interdictions in the South Florida Straits in which 150 Cuban migrants have been rescued and returned to the island, said Coast Guard officials.

Last week the Cubans were repatriated to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba, said officials; on route they received food, water, shelter and basic medical attention.

“We discourage anyone from taking to the sea and attempting to reach U.S. soil illegally – they are risking their lives with very little chance of success,” said Capt. Mark Gordon, chief of enforcement for the Coast Guard 7th District. “Navigating the Florida Straits can be extremely dangerous for the unprepared on illegal voyages and often leads to injury or death.”