TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – US Coast Guard cutters intercepted the ship in waters off Puerto Rico, where 66 migrants were carrying the ship last week, the agency said.
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The makeshift boat was first discovered northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico by customs border security air and marine patrols. The San Juan Watch Standers in the sector then directed Coast Guard Cutter Hernandez to intercept them on Tuesday morning.
Once the crew arrived they were able to stop the boat and safely disembark all migrants that were processed to determine their identity, the Coast Guard said.
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Of the 66, 48 were from the Dominican Republic, 16 from Haiti, and two from Romania. There were 56 men and 10 women, but the Coast Guard said there were no children on board.
On Thursday, the migrants were repatriated to San Pedro de Marcolis in the Dominican Republic.
“We praise the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Patrol crews for their prompt response and seamless coordination, which has prevented and safely removed 66 aliens from a makeshift vessel that is heavily overloaded.”
