Dominican, US military nab 74 boatpeople headed to Puerto Rico

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Navyand the US Coast Guard on Monday arrested 74 undocumented boatpeople while tryingto reach Puerto Rico illegally in makeshift boats.

The two agencies said joint operationsit intercepted and detained 37 Dominicans at sea, including two women.

"In operations carriedout by members of Naval Intelligence M2 at the site of Arroyo Higuero, in thecity of Sánchez, Samaná province, another 14 people were arrested aboard aminibus, who intended to participate in an illegal crossing to the neighboringisland of Puerto Rico," M2 intelligence reported.

The Navy also reports the arrestsof 14 Dominicans and 3 Haitians near Sabana de Nisibón beach, as they wereabout to board a boat to travel illegally.

It said on Saturday6 people werearrested and seized a truck towing a boat near the beach El Frances de LosCacaos, Samaná province. "The people detained were planning to use theboat to travel clandestinely to Puerto Rico. All detainees were transferred toHeadquarters (M-2), to conduct investigations to identify captains andorganizers of travel and establish legal responsibilities."