The United States Coast Guard has reiterated a warning against illegal sea voyages after repatriating 39 migrants to the Dominican Republic on Saturday.
The repatriation came after the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos interdicted an illegal voyage vessel in Mona Passage waters near Puerto Rico Friday morning.
During a routine patrol late Thursday night, the aircrew of a Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft detected a 40-foot makeshift boat.
And an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos went to the area approximately 38 nautical miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
The crews safely embarked the illegal migrants, who included eight women, a 17-year-old unaccompanied male minor, and 31 adult males.
One of the men had an outstanding federal warrant for identity theft.
The Dominican Republic national also faces federal prosecution at the U.S. District Court in Puerto Rico on charges of attempted illegal re-entry into the United States.
As a result, Border Patrol agents took him into custody.
