This group of highly motivated CBP officers and Border Patrol agents conducted random inspections of passengers arriving at the Red Hook Ferry Terminal on a daily basis which transports people between St. Thomas and St. John. The teams performed patrols through areas known for the presence of illegal migrants waiting to be picked up for labor work, also inspecting beaches in search of any recent migrant incursions.

Through the course of the operation, CBP personnel established local liaisons and reached out to local law enforcement agencies such as Port Authorities, Virgin Islands Police and the National Park Service. This interaction of multidisciplinary law enforcement agencies lead to “on the job” cross-training while learning about jurisdictional capabilities and methods of operations.

Migrants arrive to the U.S. Virgin Islands from all over. During this 12-day joint enforcement effort, CBP personnel apprehended nationals from Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, St. Vincent, Ireland and even Sri Lanka. While interviewing the aliens, officers and agents discovered the ordeal that some of them when through. Aliens would island hop or travel through several countries in Europe or the Eastern Caribbean while paying fees that varied from $500 to $45,000 in search of the "American dream."

"Border Patrol agents and CBP officers joining forces, sharing authorities, resources, and intelligence to combat alien smuggling with the support of Air and Marine are the perfect combination to defend the borders of our nation," said Director Field Operations Marcelino Borges. "CBP joins forces and utilizes all resources available to accomplish the mission. Also, partnership between Customs and Border Protection, local law enforcement agencies and the community, strengthens our enforcement efforts to apprehend illegal aliens."

The U.S. Virgin Islands are within a few hours boat ride of several Caribbean islands, including British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Martinique, Tortola, Dominica and others. Cooperation between the Border Patrol, Air and Marine and Field Operations will help decrease illicit smuggling activities across the USVI and provide valuable intelligence information concerning the smuggling groups.