AMO interdicts vessel smuggling 6 aliens from the Dominican Republic near St. Thomas

ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands — Air and Marine Operations (AMO), an operational component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, interdicted a vessel Monday with 6 aliens from the Dominican Republic attempting to reach Puerto Rico.

The crew of an AMO Coastal Interceptor vessel, on patrol, detected a lights-out vessel with two outboard motors navigating west towards Puerto Rico. The Marine Interdiction agents were able to stop the vessel stopped just east of Sail Rock, St. Thomas.

The agents found six Dominican Republic alien men on board along with the vessel operator. Custody of the six aliens was transferred to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations for immigration processing and removal.

AMO safeguards our Nation by anticipating and confronting security threats through our aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise, innovative capabilities, and partnerships at the border and beyond. AMO conducts its mission in the air and maritime environments throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

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