The Associated Press

MIAMI -- Eight Cubans are charged with alien smuggling and conspiracy following their failed attempts to bring a total of 103 migrants by boat to the United States, authorities said Friday.

The eight defendants were indicted Feb. 16 by a federal grand jury in Key West. All but three of the defendants, who have not yet been arrested, made initial court appearances in Miami on Thursday, U.S. Attorney Marcos Daniel Jimenez said.

The charges stem from the interdiction at sea of four alleged smuggling boats late last year by the Coast Guard and agents of the Homeland Security Department:

-- On Oct. 31, the Coast Guard intercepted a speedboat about 14 miles off Havana, Cuba, containing 27 people.

-- On Nov. 19, Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection units intercepted a 32-foot boat about 37 miles south of Big Pine Key that had 38 Cubans on board.

-- On Nov. 30, Coast Guard and Immigration and Customs Enforcement units stopped a 23-foot boat about 30 miles south of the Marquesas Keys that contained nine Cubans.

-- On Dec. 4, the Coast Guard halted a 27-foot boat 16 miles from Santa Clara, Cuba, that contained 27 Cubans.

All eight defendants face lengthy prison terms if convicted on all counts.

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