U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced the arrest of five individuals from the Dominican Republic who were discovered as stowaways in a barge arriving in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The arrests followed an operation on January 30 by CBP's Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team Officers (A-TCET), who responded to a request from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for an at-sea enforcement boarding that led to the apprehension of one stowaway.
Further investigations by CBP officers at Isla Grande Pier involved a search of a tugboat and a barge named "El Conquistador," which had traveled from Jacksonville, Florida. This search resulted in the arrest of four additional stowaways claiming Dominican citizenship.
All five individuals were identified as previously deported or removed aliens from the United States. A federal criminal complaint was filed against them for illegal re-entry after prior deportation or removal under Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326. The individuals charged are Nicauri Rodriguez Melo, Julio Campana Damaso, Joel Baez Marte, Anthony Junior Solano, and Silverio Arias Vasquez.
The defendants appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Hector Ramos-Vega on January 31 for their initial court appearance.
Roberto Vaquero, Director of the San Juan Office of Field Operations, emphasized the significance of these arrests: “The arrest of previously removed aliens who entered as stowaways underscores the importance of our domestic and international vessel operators to improve their security to deter migrants from pursuing this dangerous option.”
The CBP reiterates that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
CBP is tasked with safeguarding America's borders by protecting against dangerous individuals and materials while promoting legitimate trade and travel. It stands as America's largest law enforcement organization and first unified border management agency with over 65,000 personnel dedicated to ensuring national security through various means including innovation and collaboration.
