SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Coast Guard repatriated 66 migrants to a Dominican Navy vessel in Dominican Republic waters last Thursday, following the interdiction of three illegal migrant vessels in the Mona Passage.
Two of the interdicted migrants, one Haitian and a Dominican man, remain in federal custody facing possible prosecution by the US Attorney’s office for the district of Puerto Rico on potential charges of attempted illegal re-entry into a US territory.
The interdictions are the result of ongoing efforts in support of Operation Unified Resolve, Operation Caribbean Guard and the Caribbean Border Interagency Group (CBIG).
“I’m extremely proud of my crew and the collaboration with our Caribbean Border Interagency Group partners,” said Commander Michael Nalli, Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba (WMEC-907) commanding officer.
“Our collective efforts led to the successful interdiction of three grossly overloaded, unseaworthy vessels and the safe recovery of all 68 migrants. Crossing the Mona Passage in these makeshift vessels is an extremely dangerous voyage, where the migrants risk losing their lives or the life of a loved one. I am very pleased we were able to rescue each of these individuals and provide them humanitarian care aboard Escanaba.”
While on a routine patrol in the Mona Passage Monday night, crews of Customs and Border Protection DHC-8 maritime patrol aircraft detected the two migrant vessels transiting without navigational lights. The first boat was located 43 nautical miles north of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, while the second was detected, approximately 15 nautical miles northwest of Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico.
Coast Guard Watch standers in sector San Juan diverted cutter Escanaba to interdict the suspect vessels. Shortly thereafter and with the cutter boat’s assistance, the Escanaba interdicted a 20-foot makeshift boat with 19 adult migrants onboard. The Escanaba crew embarked 14 men and five women, who…
