U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a migrant ship en route to the U.S. and arrested three suspected gang members who were wanted for a 2020 shooting in Puerto Rico that left four people dead.
According to officials, the vessel was spotted by a U.S. Customs and Border Enforcement plane and intercepted by the Coast Guard Cutter Winslow Griesser in the Mona Passage on Friday.
The three suspects were detained and transferred to a Dominican Republic navy ship, as stated in a press release by the Coast Guard on Tuesday.
Lt. Vincente Garcia, Coast Guard liaison to the Dominican Republic, emphasized the importance of collaboration among federal partner agencies and Dominican authorities, leading to the safe repatriation of five migrants and the capture of the wanted individuals.
The Coast Guard opted not to disclose the identities of the suspects.
Since then, the maritime enforcement agency has intercepted a total of 932 migrants attempting to enter the U.S. via the Mona Passage, predominantly consisting of 890 Dominicans, 41 Haitians, and one Venezuelan.
In a single weekend earlier this month, 101 migrants attempting illegal entry into the U.S. were intercepted and deported back to their home countries by the Coast Guard.
More recently, the Coast Guard intercepted 16 Cuban migrants aboard a makeshift boat en route to Florida, part of the 384 migrants from Cuba intercepted since October.
The successful interception of the migrant ship underscores the vigilance and effectiveness of the U.S. Coast Guard in safeguarding the nation’s maritime borders and preventing illegal activities.
Efforts to combat unlawful migration and other illicit maritime activities are ongoing, with the Coast Guard maintaining a proactive stance in intercepting vessels attempting to breach U.S. borders.
The collaboration between federal agencies and international partners, such as the Dominican Republic Navy, highlights the importance of coordinated efforts in addressing maritime security threats.
As the Coast Guard remains vigilant in its patrols, it sends a clear message of deterrence to individuals seeking to exploit maritime routes for criminal purposes, ensuring the safety and security of U.S. waters.
