Vessel being intercepted by the US Coast Guard. Photo courtesy US Coast Guard.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic--The United States Coast Guard returned 75 migrants to the Dominican Republic between Saturday and Monday after interdicting two illegal voyage vessels in Mona Passage waters near Puerto Rico.
Two Dominicano men interdicted in these voyages face federal prosecution at the US District Court in Puerto Rico on charges of attempted illegal re-entry into the United States.
The first interdiction occurred last Thursday night and involved 41 persons on a “grossly overloaded makeshift vessel”.
The group comprised 28 men, 12 women and a female minor who claimed to be Dominican Republic nationals.
The second interdiction occurred Sunday afternoon during a routine patrol.
The Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier detected and interdicted an illegal voyage vessel north-west of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
The cutter crew embarked 36 people from a “30-foot grossly overloaded makeshift vessel”.
The group comprised 32 men and two women, who claimed to be Dominican Republic nationals, and two Haitian men.
The group was transferred to a Dominican Republic Navy vessel Monday off Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic. ~ St. Lucia Times ~
