The U.S. Coast Guard in San Juan reported on Friday that it has returned 35 of the 39 people of various nationalities who tried to reach Puerto Rico illegally between May 18 and 23.
As the agency details in a statement, 15 Haitians, 12 Uzbeks and eight Dominicans were sent back, after being detained by authorities near the Mona Channel, west of Puerto Rico.
The first intervention, on May 18, took place when Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos responded to a 25-foot (8-meter) long vessel after it was spotted by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) aircraft 11 nautical miles northwest of Aguadilla (northwest).
18 people were traveling on this illegal boat: 12 Uzbeks and 6 Dominicans.
Of these 18 undocumented immigrants, 4 were handed over to CBP on Wednesday, at the Ramey base in Aguadilla, for having tried to enter Puerto Rico again.
The second operation took place last Monday, when the Coast Guard Cutter Donald Horsley intercepted a 26-foot-long boat, also seen by a CBP aircraft, about 10 nautical miles south of Isla de Mona, an islet between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
On this vessel, 21 people were attempting to reach Puerto Rico illegally, including 15 Haitians and 6 Dominicans.
These interventions were carried out thanks to the team effort between local and federal agencies and the Caribbean Border Interagency Group.
Ducasse Mackendy
