Coast Guard repatriates 32 aliens to Dominican Republic Navy following vessel interdiction off Desecheo, Puerto Rico

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Heriberto Hernandez repatriated 32 aliens to a Dominican Republic Navy vessel at sea, Sunday, following the interdiction of a makeshift vessel near Desecheo, Puerto Rico.   This interdiction is part of the efforts of the Homeland Security Task Force – San Juan Region to combat human smuggling and deter unlawful maritime migration. Sector San Juan watchstanders received a report from the aircrew of a Customs and Border Protection aircraft of a grossly overloaded 20 to 30-foot makeshift vessel off Desecheo, Puerto Rico. With assistance from the Customs and Border Protection aircrew, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Heriberto Hernandez interdicted the suspect vessel.