Puerto Rico officers rescue 35 Dominican boatpeople

San Juan.- Puerto Rico Marine Police officers aboard helicoptersand the the US Coast Guard on Monday rescued 35 Dominican citizens when theboat started taking water 15 nautical miles off the west coast of the Caribbeanisland, EFE reports.

in a statement Puerto Rico Police said the group, 28 menand 7 women, was spotted off Punta Borinquen, on the coast near Aguadilla, tryingto reach US territory illegally.

It said helicopters hurled life vests at the group that wastraveling in a 25 foot wooden boat (7 meters). “The detainees in apparent goodhealth, were handed over to Border Patrol personnel to take charge of thesituation.”