SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico– U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol Agents arrested 5 aliens found along with others inside a wooden “yola” type vessel, intercepted by the US Coast Guard near Aguadilla on May 31st.
Duary Miguel Caceres-Santos, Joel Cedeno-Mariano, Andres Jimenez-Coronado Pedro Lopez-Marte and Wily Rodriguez-Mejia, citizens of the Dominican Republic, appeared June 2 before US District Court Magistrate Bruce McGiverin facing charges for violation of title 8 United States Code, Section 1326, for attempting to reenter after a previous removal.
belongings of aliens before taking
them into custody.
“The use of biometric technology has made a difference in the application of consequence and detection at-sea of immigrants with prior immigration and criminal records,” stated Ramiro Cerrillo, Chief Patrol Agent for Ramey Sector in Aguadilla. “We remain vigilant to detect them and arresting them.”
A CBP Air and Marine Operations DHC-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) detected a “yola” vessel navigating east attempting to reach the coast of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. A US Coast Guard cutter intercepted the vessel finding 31 aliens on board.
The USCG repatriated 25 migrants to the Dominican Republic.
Border Patrol agents presented the case to the on-duty Assistant US Attorney Elba Gorbea for prosecution.
If convicted the defendants Cedeno-Mariano and Jimenez-Coronado face a fine or imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both. If convicted the defendants Caceres-Santos, Lopez-Marte and Rodriguez-Mejia face a fine or imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both.
All defendants are presumed innocent until found guilty by a court of law.