3 wanted U.S. citizens apprehended following Coast Guard interdiction
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Three wanted U.S. citizens were apprehended following an interdiction by the Coast Guard Cutter Winslow Griesser crew on April 19.
The Coast Guard crew said it intercepted an unlawful migrant voyage in Mona Passage, which led to the discovery of the three reportedly gang affiliated citizens wanted in connection with a fatal July 2020 shooting in Puerto Rico.
The 20-foot migrant vessel was intercepted approximately 55 nautical miles northwest of Puerto Rico carrying eight people along with multiple cockfighting roosters, according to the Coast Guard. The vessel, which was traveling to Puerto Rico from the Dominican Republic, reportedly experienced engine malfunctions, forcing the migrants to return to the Dominican Republic before being interdicted.
An investigation by the Dominican Republic Navy and Homeland Security Investigations revealed the three U.S. Citizens.
“Our strong partnerships and daily collaboration between all federal partner agencies involved in this case as well as Dominican Republic Navy and Dominican law enforcement authorities resulted in the safe repatriation of five migrants and the apprehension of three wanted U.S. citizens,” said Lt. Vincente Garcia, Coast Guard liaison to the Dominican Republic. “These efforts are instrumental to achieving regional stability and safeguarding our nation’s southernmost maritime border from dangers and threats associated with unlawful migration and other prevalent illicit maritime activity.”
The suspects are under custody of the Dominican Republic ‘Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas (DNCD) (United States Marshals Service Dominican Republic Foreign Field Office Fugitive Investigative Unit), according to the Coast Guard.
United States Marshals Service Puerto Rico Fugitive Task Force for the District of Puerto Rico are coordinating the deportation of the three suspects.
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