CBP, Coast Guard intercept migrant vessel heading for Puerto Rico; 40 apprehended including Uzbek national

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) special agents nabbed dozens of migrants from the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Uzbekistan after the 30-foot boat they were traveling in was targeted near Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico.

The operation began in the early hours of June 6, just before 12:30 a.m. local time, when the Caribbean Air and Marine Operations Center first detected a target of interest west of the island. 

CBP officials said the intelligence was immediately relayed to a National Air Security Operations Center DHC-8 aircrew, which subsequently tracked down the 25- to 30-foot rustic vessel carrying 40 migrants.

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Initially, the boat appeared to be disabled and "unable to make way," according to authorities.

The DHC-8 aircrew maintained surveillance from above and guided a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) cutter to the location. 

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As the cutter approached the boat, it suddenly began moving toward the Puerto Rican shoreline.

The USCG successfully intercepted the boat at about 2 a.m.

Authorities detained all 40 migrants onboard, which included 34 men and two women from the Dominican Republic, three men from Haiti and one man from Uzbekistan.