AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico– U.S.Customs and Border Protection (CBP) along with partners from the Police Department (PRPD) Joint Forces of Rapid Action (FURA, for its Spanish acronym), U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations detected and apprehended 31 alien migrants attempting to enter illegally through the coast of Boquerón and Vega Alta.
“Through the Caribbean Border Interagency Group and the Operation Stonegarden grant program, we are able to leverage all our resources to interdict smuggling attempts in our coasts,” stated Xavier Morales, Chief Patrol Agent for the Ramey Border Patrol Sector.
Near 4:00 AM Oct. 31, Ramey Sector Border Patrol Agents reached the Vertedero area of the town of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico, along with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents and FURA officers finding 15 aliens.
HSI agents assumed custody of the group for further investigation, seizing a fiberglass boat found in the beach.
During the afternoon of Oct. 31, CBP Air and Marine Operations (AMO) marine agents deployed a Coastal Interceptor Vessel after a U.S. Coast Guard aircraft detected an overloaded eastbound vessel. Along with a USCG small boat, they intercepted the vessel approximately 85 nautical miles northeast of Boqueron, finding 16 aliens onboard. All 16 aliens boarded the USCG Cutter Richard Dixon for biometric processing.
“Deterrence of smuggling attempts requires our collective effort and sheer resolve to be a team,” indicated Johnny Morales, Director of Air and Marine Operations in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
The Caribbean Border Interagency Group (CBIG) unifies efforts between U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, United States Attorney's Office for the District of Puerto Rico, and Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action. CBIG’s common goal is securing the borders of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands against illegal migrant and drug smuggling threats.
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