Coast Guard returns 109 migrants to Dominican Republic, following 2 interdictions in Mona Passage

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos returned 109 migrants to authorities at San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, Wednesday, following two separate interdictions of irregular, unlawful maritime migration voyages in Mona Passage waters near Puerto Rico.   Dominican Republic Navy authorities received custody of the migrants. The Coast Guard, along with its Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast partners, maintains a continual presence with air, land, and sea assets in the Florida Straits, the Windward Passage, the Mona Passage, and the Caribbean Sea in support of Operation Vigilant Sentry. The HSTF-SE combined, multi-layered approach is designed to protect the safety of life at sea while preventing unlawful maritime entry to the United States and its territories.