The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Heriberto Hernandez has repatriated 32 aliens to a Dominican Republic Navy vessel at sea, following the interdiction of a makeshift vessel near Desecheo, Puerto Rico.
This interdiction is part of the efforts of the Homeland Security Task Force – San Juan Region to combat human smuggling and deter unlawful maritime migration.
Sector San Juan watchstanders received a report from the aircrew of a Customs and Border Protection aircraft of a grossly overloaded 20 to 30-foot makeshift vessel off Desecheo, Puerto Rico. With assistance from the Customs and Border Protection aircrew, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Heriberto Hernandez interdicted the suspect vessel.
Following the interdiction, the crew safely embarked 36 Dominican Republic, three Haitian and one Uzbek nationals.
“This successful outcome is due to the professionalism and unwavering resolve of our Coast Guard crews and Homeland Security Task Force partners stopping unlawful migration voyages at sea,” said Cmdr. Matthew Romano, Sector San Juan chief of response. “To anyone thinking of taking part in an unlawful maritime migration voyage, don’t take to the sea! These voyages are extremely dangerous and most often involve grossly overloaded and unseaworthy vessels that take on water and have no lifesaving equipment. Those caught taking part in an unlawful voyage could face possible prosecution or be repatriated to their country of origin or country from where the voyage originated.”
The original announcement can be found here.
