CABO ROJO, Puerto Rico — Three federal marine agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection were shot at after they approached a suspected smuggling boat off the coast of Puerto Rico Thursday morning, officials said.
The agents returned fire at the suspected smuggling vessel, which was about 14 miles off the coast of Cabo Rojo, according to a statement from Customs and Border Protection.
The agents"suffered various gunshot injuries" and were airlifted to the Puerto Rico Trauma Center in unknown conditions, according to the statement. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said at a congressional hearing Thursday that one member of CBP's Air and Marine operation was"gravely injured" and four others were shot at during the situation in Puerto Rico. He said he was briefed on the shooting early Thursday morning.
"The difficulty of this job cannot be compared to the difficulty that our front-line personnel face every day," he said, alluding to his own role.This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.Listen
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US agent, suspected smuggler killed off Puerto Rico coastU.S. authorities say a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent and a suspected smuggler died during a shootout Thursday morning off the Puerto Rico coast.
Read more »
CBP agent, suspected smuggler dead in shootout off Puerto Rico coast, officials sayAt least two other CBP agents were also injured in the shootout, which unfolded about 12 miles off the coast of Cabo Rojo Thursday morning.
Read more »
Federal agent killed in shootout with suspected smuggling boat off Puerto RicoCABO ROJO, Puerto Rico — A federal marine agent with U.S. Customs and Border Protection was fatally shot while approaching a suspected smuggling boat off the coast of Puerto Rico on Thursday morning, officials said.
Read more »
$1B worth of counterfeit items seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in 2022The seizure is a 38% increase from the counterfeit goods seen last year and the most the agency has ever confiscated.
Read more »
Customs agent dead, 2 hurt after shootout with smugglers at seaThe U.S. agents were involved in a shootout with suspected smugglers 14 miles off Puerto Rico’s southwest coast.
Read more »