The patrolman of the Coast Guard Richard Dixon repatriated to two Dominicans and returned to 39 Haitians to Dominican Republic on Wednesday, following the interdiction of an illegal trip Tuesday in the waters of the Mona Passage near Rincón, Puerto Rico, the United States Coast Guard reported.
Another citizen of Dominican Republic of this group remains in Puerto Rico to face federal prosecution on charges of attempted illegal re-entry into the United States. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico is in charge of the prosecution in this case.
The interdiction is the result of ongoing efforts by various local and federal agencies in support of the Caribbean Border Interagency Group CBIG.
“This was a great case and outcome for Coast Guardsman Richard Dixon and our partners at CBIG, who work daily to protect the nation’s southernmost maritime border from existing threats and save lives from the dangers associated with illegal trips in the maritime domain, said. Commander Beau Powers, San Juan Sector Response Chief. “If you are thinking of participating in an illegal voyage, we ask that you do not go to sea. These trips put thousands of lives at risk. If you are caught, you will be returned to your home country or you could face criminal prosecution in United States courts.”
During a routine patrol Tuesday, the crew of a Customs and Border Protection Maritime Enforcement Aircraft detected an illegal voyage approximately 10 nautical miles southeast of Rincón, Puerto Rico. After the sighting, the patrolman of the Coast Guard Richard Dixon intercepted the 30-foot makeshift boat. The crew of the cutter Richard Dixon safely embarked all passengers after they were observed drawing water to prevent the vessel from capsizing.
The cutter Richard Dixon repatriated 27 Haitian men and 14 women of this group to a ship of the Navy of Dominican Republic Wednesday morning.
Once aboard a patrol boat Coast Guard, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical care. During the interdiction, the crew members of the Coast Guard they were equipped with personal protective equipment to minimize potential exposure to any possible cases of COVID-19.
From October 1, 2021 to February 28, 2022, the Coast Guard and CBIG partner agencies have carried out 45 interdictions of illegal trips in the Mona Passage and Caribbean waters near Puerto Rico.
Interdicted during this period are 1,088 non-US citizens, mostly citizens of Dominican Republic and Haiti (798 Dominicans253 Haitians1 Ecuadorian, 36 Venezuelans).
• 463 Dominicansfifteen Haitians in fiscal year 2021
• 491 Dominicans08 Haitians in fiscal year 2020
• 429 Dominicans06 Haitians in fiscal year 2019
• 280 Dominicans04 Haitians in fiscal year 2018
• 262 Dominicans03 Haitians in fiscal year 2017
• 246 Dominicans19 Haitians in fiscal year 2016
