On Mar.16, 2023, CBP located a “yola” type vessel moving towards Punta Salinas, Toa Baja. The crew of an Air and Marine Operation (AMO) Coastal Interceptor Vessel responded to the Punta Salinas shoreline to attempt to intercept the vessel.

The AMO crew found a capsized vessel and several persons in the water at northwest of the Punta Salinas beach. The crew immediately initiated search and rescue efforts recovering four males and two females from the water, as well as recovering 13 bales of contraband found floating near the capsized vessel. The six migrants claimed citizenship from the Dominican Republic.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has custody of the contraband and the migrants for investigation.

On the evening of Mar. 15, 13 migrants were intercepted at sea by two AMO maritime crews and one Puerto Rico Police Department FURA maritime unit, approximately 5 nautical miles southwest of Cabo Rojo. The migrants, 10 men, 1 female and 2 unaccompanied female minors, claimed citizenship from the Dominican Republic.

The Border Patrol agents took custody of the migrants and transported them to Ramey Station for processing and removal proceedings.

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