What does this sentence mean?

There are Soviet ships on their way to Cuba. The cargo they are carrying is probably illegal. For that reason some slow down and some even reverse their course in fear of getting caught. They are attempting to avoid the boats patroling to find such activity because no one wants to end up in a prison in Cuba! The one that does not do so has managed to avoid the Coast gaurd patrols and landed with whatever they are trying to sneak in.