see also: in July 2006 News Releases:   SENTRI Participants Revoked for Agriculture Violations   Monthly Trade Payments to CBP Reach $5 Billion   Border Patrol, National Guard Partnership Helps Deny, Deter Illegal Immigration   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Offers Tips for Summer Border Travel   CBP Agriculture Specialist Intercepts Voracious Slug   Customs and Border Protection Has Five Drug Seizures In Five Days At The Detroit Border Crossings   Customs and Border Protection South Florida Marina Update ...more on cbp.gov:   Press Officers   CBP News Releases

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Aguadilla, PR – At night, on July 03, 2006, a DHC-8 marine surveillance aircraft from the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch, Puerto Rico detected a suspicious vessel traveling eastbound towards the island of Mona, Puerto Rico. The DHC-8 aircrew maintained the vessel under surveillance, and provided vectors for two CBP Marine interceptor vessels, which quickly intercepted the vessel. Initially, the suspicious vessel refused to stop and began performing evasive maneuvers to avoid apprehension. After an aggressive chase, CBP Interceptor vessels successfully stopped the vessel and apprehended all occupants. A total of 12 Cuban nationals, and 2 Dominican nationals were onboard. All migrants were handed over to the US Coast Guard. The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement is conducting an investigation (ICE).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.