The crew of the US Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutter (FRC) USCGC Joseph Tezanos repatriated 16 aliens to the Dominican Republic late last week following the interdiction of a makeshift vessel in Mona Passage waters off Puerto Rico.
The coast guard said the interdiction is part of the efforts of the Homeland Security Task Force – San Juan Region to combat human smuggling and deter unlawful maritime migration.
Sector San Juan watchstanders received a report from the aircrew of a coast guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft of a grossly overloaded 22-foot (6.7-metre) makeshift vessel off Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, on August 24.
A US Customs and Border Protection multi-role enforcement aircraft joined the response and maintained aerial surveillance on-scene as the FRC USCGC Richard Dixon interdicted the suspect vessel.
Following the interdiction, the coast guard crew safely embarked 14 men, three women, and two minors who claimed being Dominican Republic nationals.
The migrant group was transferred to Joseph Tezanos for their repatriation.
Fourteen of the migrants were repatriated at sea to a Dominican Republic Navy vessel.
The two minors were transferred shoreside to National Council for Children and Adolescents representatives.
