The United States Coast Guard interdicted 40 illegal Caribbean migrants, including a minor female, in Mona Passage waters near Puerto Rico between Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Coast Guard said late Sunday night, the aircrew of a Customs and Border Protection multi-role enforcement aircraft detected a ‘grossly overloaded’ makeshift vessel north of Mona Island, Puerto Rico.
The Coast Guard Cutter Kathleen Moore carried out the interdiction.
The Cutter’s crew safely embarked the 40 migrants from their 25-foot wooden vessel.
Among the interdicted were five men and two women, including the female minor, who claimed to be Haitian nationals.
There were also 31 men and two women who claimed to be Dominican Republic nationals.
The Coast Guard has reiterated its warning against illegal voyages at sea.
Since October 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023, the Coast Guard has carried out 25 illegal voyage interdictions in the Mona Passage and waters near Puerto Rico.
The interdictions involved 777 non-U.S. citizens, including 568 Dominicans, 195 Haitians, 13 Venezuelans, and one individual of unknown nationality.
