TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A U.S. Coast Guard cutter intercepted a vessel carrying 66 migrants in the waters off Puerto Rico last week, the agency announced.
A Customs and Border Protection air and marine patrol initially spotted the improvised boat northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Subsequently, Sector San Juan watchstanders directed the Coast Guard Cutter Heriberto Hernandez to intercept it on Tuesday morning.
Upon arrival, the crew successfully stopped the boat, ensuring the safe disembarkation of all migrants, who were provided with food, water, and shelter, and their identities were processed, according to the Coast Guard.
Among the 66 individuals, 48 hailed from the Dominican Republic, 16 were from Haiti, and two were from Romania. The group consisted of 56 men and 10 women, with no children on board, as reported by the Coast Guard.
On Thursday, the migrants were repatriated to San Pedro de Marcoris, Dominican Republic.
“We commend the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection crews for their swift response and seamless coordination, resulting in the successful interdiction and safe removal of 66 aliens from an excessively overloaded makeshift vessel,” stated Sector San Juan Commander Capt. Luis J. Rodríguez.
