CBP Nabs Cocaine Suspect at San Juan Seaport

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San Juan, Puerto Rico – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, Friday afternoon, identified Octavio Germosen-Morla, 35, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, as having an outstanding warrant for charges of cocaine possession, with the intent to sell.

Germosen-Morla was encountered by San Juan Seaport CBP officers while attempting to board the Caribbean Fantasy Ferry bound for Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

System checks revealed Germosen-Morla had an outstanding warrant from Grand Junction, Colo., on charges of controlled substance violations. CBP officers confirmed the warrant with the Colorado Department of Corrections.

Custody of the subject was transferred to the Puerto Rico Police Department for extradition proceedings.

“Customs and Border Protection is an agency committed to securing our borders while at the same time cooperating with other law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of U.S. laws. CBP officers are always vigilant to detect individuals that have broken our laws and attempt to defeat our justice system,” stated Marcelino Borges, director of Field Operations for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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.

CBP arrests an Undocumented Alien at Pleasure Boat Marina

Had re-entered after a prior deportation in 2010; faces criminal prosecution

Fajardo, Puerto Rico – U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents arrested an undocumented alien from the Dominican Republic working on a large vessel docked at the Puerto Del Rey Marina.

Joselo Ruiz-Batista, 25, made an initial appearance today before U. S. District Court Magistrate Judge Bruce McGiverin for alleged violation to Title 8 United States Code, Section 1325, improper entry of alien, a misdemeanor.

CBP field operations officer and Border Patrol agents conducting vessel inspections encountered Mr. Ruiz-Batista, who admitted being illegally present in the island.

Ramey Sector Border Patrol agents verified immigration databases and found that Mr. Ruiz – Batista had been removed to the Dominican Republic in 2010.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Evelyn Canals.If convicted Mr. Ruiz-Batista faces a fine or imprisonment of not more than six months.

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.

CBP Arrests Cruise Ship Passengers after attempt to transport cocaine at San Juan Seaport

San Juan, Puerto Rico – Sunday morning, during a random inspection of passengers arriving from St. Christopher – Nevis, on board the cruise ship “Carnival Victory”, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a passenger who was attempting to transport cocaine into the United States inside his back pack.

CBP Officers arrested Carl Peterkin, a 27-year-old U.S. citizen, after finding approximately 1,694 grams of cocaine inside a back pack that he was carrying. His brother, Mr. Steven Peterkin, 23, was also arrested on conspiracy charges.

The custody of both passengers was transferred to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.

“CBP officers are always vigilant of criminals who try to engage in illicit activities and elude detection,” stated Marcelino Borges, Director of Field Operations for Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.

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.

LA Port Police Conduct Sea Trials of New Patrol Boat

On April 24, 2007, the Los Angeles Port Police conducted “sea trials” of their new SAFE Boat in Lake Tahoe. The boat testing coincided with the annual training conference of the California Boating Safety Officers Association (CBSOA).

As one of few police forces in the nation dedicated exclusively to 24-hour port activities, the Los Angeles Port Police are responsible for patrol and surveillance of the Port of Los Angeles and neighboring Harbor Area communities. As California peace officers, the Port Police enforce federal, state and local public safety statutes as well as environmental and maritime safety regulations. Highly regarded among specialized law enforcement agencies, the primary goal of the Port Police is to maintain the free flow of commerce and produce a safe, secure environment that promotes uninterrupted Port operations.

Los Angeles Port Police officers are responsible for enforcing all the laws and ordinances within the jurisdiction of the Port of Los Angeles, including its commercial operations, docks and marinas, recreational, residential and neighboring areas. Los Angeles Port Police Officers may also be involved with other programs such as participation in bicycle patrol, K-9, dive operations, sea marshal operations, detectives, or involvement in narcotics, cargo theft, or anti-terrorism task forces.

The California Boating Safety Officers Association was established in 1973 by a small group of officers that saw a need to improve the training and interaction between all of California's Boating Safety Officers. As of August 14, 2006, over 450 officers from over one hundred agencies and organizations are members of the CBSOA. The CBSOA provides members with three training seminars a year; a newsletter about boating safety officer interests; and, monitors and lobbies for or against legislation relating to boating safety interests.

You can visit the California Boating Safety Officers Association website here. And, the Los Angeles Port Police website here.

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