U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) special agents, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, intercepted a migrant vessel heading towards Puerto Rico, apprehending 40 illegal immigrants from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Uzbekistan.

Operation Details

The operation began on June 6, when the Caribbean Air and Marine Operations Center detected a target of interest west of Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico. The intelligence was immediately relayed to a National Air Security Operations Center DHC-8 aircrew, which tracked down the 25- to 30-foot rustic vessel carrying the migrants.

Initially, the boat appeared to be disabled and unable to make way, according to authorities. However, as the U.S. Coast Guard cutter approached, the boat suddenly began moving towards the Puerto Rican shoreline. The USCG successfully intercepted the boat at about 2 a.m., detaining all 40 migrants onboard, including 34 men and two women from the Dominican Republic, three men from Haiti, and one man from Uzbekistan.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.