DrugsMigrationNews

US CBP, Law Enforcement partners Seize 566 Pounds of Cocaine, Arrest 5 Smugglers and Apprehend 25 Undocumented Migrants from Haiti and the Dominican Republic during Labor Day Weekend

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Border Patrol and Air and Marine Operations (AMO) agents, collaborated with other law enforcement partners to seize 566 pounds (257 Kilos) of cocaine and arrest the 5 smugglers, as well as apprehending 14 migrants from Haiti and 11 migrants from the Dominican Republic, during three separate events in Mayaguez, Cabo Rojo and Carolina, during this past Labor Day weekend.

“We are seeing an increase in smuggling attempts across our borders,” stated Xavier Morales, Chief Patrol Agent for the Ramey Border Patrol Sector.  “Ramey Border Patrol Agents continuously change tactics in order to apprehend and disrupt these criminal organizations. They are committed professionals that work very hard to keep our country safe. Im proud of the work they do”.

Bales of cocaine that were found inside a yola north of San Juan, Puerto Rico

On Sept. 5, Caribbean Air and Marine Branch (CAMB) Multi-Role Enforcement Aircraft (MEA) crew detected a vessel with five POBs approximately 38 nautical miles north of Carolina, Puerto Rico, 

An AMO marine asset and a US Coast Guard small boat, intercepted a 20-foot makeshift “yola” vessel with two outboard engines 9 nautical miles north of San Juan, with five adults, 4 male and one female onboard, claiming to be citizens and nationals of the Dominican Republic.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assumed custody of the contraband and the four non-citizens for investigation and prosecution.

On Sept.6, Ramey Sector Border Patrol Agents (BPAs) responded to a maritime smuggling event in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.  At the scene, Border Patrol Agents apprehended 14 adult male non-citizens from Haiti. 

On Sept. 6, 2021, Ramey Sector Border Patrol Agents (BPAs) responded to a maritime smuggling event in “el Comabte”, in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.  

Upon arrival, agents and Cabo Rojo Municipal Police apprehended nine adult male and two adult female non-citizens from the Dominican Republic. 

All migrant non-citizens were transported to the Ramey Border Patrol Station where they will be processed for removal proceedings.

The Ramey Sector is one of the twenty-one Sectors spread out across the United States. Encompassing the U.S. territorial islands of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, it is the only Border Patrol Sector located outside the continental United States. The Sector’s entire border area is made up of coastline and its area of responsibility is made up of some 6,000 square miles of land and water area, including the twelve-mile band of territorial water surrounding the Islands.