Marine Interdiction Agents from Air and Marine Operations, part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), stopped a sailing vessel carrying 12 undocumented migrants near Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, on January 13. The group included eight adults and four minors from Uzbekistan and Russia who did not have documentation to enter the United States.
The operation began when the U.S. Coast Guard alerted CBP Air and Marine Operations about a suspicious vessel heading southeast toward Puerto Rico. The vessel changed course toward Vieques Island before being intercepted at around 8:30 p.m., less than one nautical mile south of the island. Two Coastal Interceptor Vessels were used in the stop.
Christopher Hunter, director of the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch, stated, “The successful interdiction was the result of close coordination between the U.S. Coast Guard and our Air and Marine Operations. Our commitment to securing U.S. borders and preventing illicit smuggling operations remains unwavering.”
After apprehension, both the migrants and their vessel were transported to the Fajardo Marine Unit for identification and processing. Authorities said that an investigation is ongoing.
Capt. Robert E. Stiles, Sector San Juan deputy, commented on interagency cooperation: “This successful outcome highlights the strong partnerships between the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection and all federal and local law enforcement partners in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our daily unified coordination, shared capabilities and synchronized response efforts are instrumental to safeguarding our nation’s Caribbean maritime borders against illicit smuggling activities.”
CBP Air and Marine Operations conducts its mission across air and maritime environments throughout the United States as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
CBP describes itself as America's largest law enforcement organization with over 67,000 employees working on land, sea, and air to enforce safe travel, trade regulations, national security measures, innovation initiatives, intelligence sharing, collaboration efforts, and trust-building.
