Dominican Navy thwarts crossings, nabs local, Cuban boatpeople

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Navy on Tuesday said it has thwartedin the country’s east region three attempted trips to Puerto Rico in less than72 hours, arrested 24 Dominicans, seven Cubans and actively seeks several suspectedorganizers.

It said Naval Intelligence (M-2) agents trips by foreignersand Dominicans detected the crossings near the villages of El Cortecito andJuanillo in La Altagracia province, and in Playa La Jima, Miches township, ElSeybo province.

The first group of 16 Dominicans and three Cubans tried toreach Puerto Rico by a yola type boat, which broke down minutes after settingoff from Bibijagua beach, Punta Cana township.