Passengers on a boat at sea.
AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico--US Border Patrol, Coast Guard (USCG) and the Puerto Rico Police Department apprehended 39 undocumented aliens from the Dominican Republic (DR) during two separate incidents during the New Year celebration, attempting to access Puerto Rico through the island’s west coast.
“We all remain vigilant to smuggling attempts even during the holidays,” stated Ramiro Cerrillo, Chief Patrol Agent for the Ramey Border Patrol Sector. “Smugglers continue to have complete disregard for the safety of the people they attempt to bring into the island.”
On the evening of December 31, the USCG encountered a group of migrants in the southwestern end of the inhabited Desecheo Island. Food, water and blankets were provided by Border Patrol Agents via a USCG helicopter, for their overnight stay.
In the early morning hours of January 1, marine units of the Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces for Rapid Action (FURA, for its Spanish acronym) transferred 26 men, two women and two unaccompanied boys, all claiming Dominican Republic citizenship, to a USCG vessel for processing.
In the afternoon, an additional smuggling event was reported near Carrizales in the town of Aguada. Border Patrol Agents responded to the call and discovered a 22-foot wooden “yola” vessel without an engine or markings.
After an extensive search, agents apprehended nine individuals claiming Dominican Republic nationality and one person claiming to be a US citizen. All subjects were transported to Ramey Station for further investigation and processing. ~ Caribbean News Now! ~
