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  4. U.S. Border Patrol, Fish and Wildlife Apprehend 3 Aliens Illegally Entering Via Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Border Patrol, Fish and Wildlife Apprehend 3 Aliens Illegally Entering Via Wildlife Refuge

Release Date
Wed, 05/13/2020

AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico –US Border Patrol agents and US Fish and Wildlife officers apprehended three aliens Tuesday, two from the Dominican Republic and one from Colombia, after they attempted to enter the island through a wildlife refuge along the southwest coast.     Border Patrol agents and PRPD Officers inspect the yola vessel after it was found hidden within mangroves. .

Ramey Station Border Patrol agents responded to a report of a “yola” making landfall in the “Pitahaya” sector of the municipality of Cabo Rojo.  At the Cabo Rojo National Fish and Wildlife refuge, officers had detained three aliens.

Border Patrol agents searched the area finding a “yola” type vessel with two 75 horsepower outboard engines hidden in the mangroves. 

The Puerto Rico Police Department Joint Forces for Rapid Action (FURA, for its Spanish acronym), an Operation Stonegarden partner, towed the vessel to Boqueron where Border Patrol agents seized the vessel. 

The illegal aliens were transported to the Ramey Border Patrol Station.  Two aliens were processed for expedited removal.  One alien will face prosecution for entry after previous deportation or removal.   

The Operation Stonegarden Grant Program (OPSG) is designed to enhance cooperation and coordination from the U.S. Border Patrol with local, tribal, territorial, state and federal law enforcement agencies in a joint mission to secure the border.   

The Ramey Sector is one of the twenty-one Sectors spread out across the United States. Encompassing the U.S. territorial islands of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, it is the only Border Patrol Sector located outside the continental United States. The Sector's entire border area is made up of coastline and its area of responsibility is made up of some 6,000 square miles of land and water area, including the twelve-mile band of territorial water surrounding the Islands.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021