U.S. Customs And Border Protection Breaks Up Human Trafficking Ring Near Puerto Rico [View all]
SAN JUAN U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) says crews from its Caribbean Air and Marine Branch (CAMB) have collaborated with federal and local law enforcement partners in disrupting a human smuggling attempt in the Caribbean Sea near Puerto Rico, resulting in the capture and repatriation of 15 individuals.
The CBP said a Caribbean-based DHC-8 aircrew on recent patrol detected a suspicious single-engine yola-type vessel operating without navigational lights off the coast of Puerto Rico.
It said the crew maintained surveillance and vectored in two Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) Marine Unit (FURA) crews to interdict.
According to the CBP, local marine authorities apprehended 15 individuals, seized the vessel and then contacted the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to assist.
Read more: https://vifreepress.com/2020/12/u-s-customs-and-border-protection-breaks-up-human-trafficking-ring-near-puerto-rico/