Three Customs and Border Patrol officers were killed and one injured during a shootout off Puerto Rico’s coast with drug smugglers. CBP issued the following statement:
Initial reports indicated that five CBP agents were killed. Initial reports stated that five CBP agents had been shot.
SCOOP: CBP sources say 5 U.S. border agents shot, including one fatally, by narcos off the coast of Puerto Rico
The agents are not Border Patrol, but from Customs & Border Protection's Air & Marine Operations arm.
The agents were taken back to land and life-flighted.@CBPAMO pic.twitter.com/5wQdXXmxgw
— Anna Giaritelli (@Anna_Giaritelli) November 17, 2022
Alejandro Mayorkas (Homeland Security Secretary) acknowledged the death in testimony before a Senate panel Thursday morning.
“Ranking Member (Rob) Portman expressed concern about the tragic death of a frontline member. Their job is much more difficult than that of frontline personnel. They should be commended for their selflessness and bravery.”
According To The New York Times:
Limary Cruz-Rubio, a spokeswoman for the F.B.I.’s San Juan field office, said the shooting was being investigated as an assault on a federal officer. She asked for anyone with information about the shooting to contact the authorities and said the bureau’s evidence response team was responding to the scene.
While much is made of our southern border with Mexico, this tragedy serves to remind us of the dangers our agents face in fighting drug trafficking within The Caribbean.
