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CBP’s Air and Marine Operations Opens New Marine Unit Facility in Puerto Rico

Release Date
Thu, 08/30/2018

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico– U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Air and Marine Operations (AMO), celebrates the unveiling of its newest operating location in Ceiba, Puerto Rico.

The Caribbean Air and Marine Branch’s area of responsibility extends south to International waters of Venezuela, west to the Dominican Republic, and southeast to the Lesser Antilles.

Completed at just under $4.7 million, the facility is located at the former Naval Facility Roosevelt Roads in Ceiba, Puerto Rico
Completed at just under $4.7 million,
the facility is located at the former
Naval Facility Roosevelt Roads in
Ceiba, Puerto Rico

“We have several satellite locations in Puerto Rico, but this new Marine Unit Facility provides us with a centralized location to more effectively conduct our mission to interdict drugs, and protect the American people,” said Johnny Morales, Director, Caribbean Air and Marine Branch.

The Fajardo Marine Unit facility which sits on nearly an acre of land, will accommodate 13 full time staff, runs on a permanent generator, and features a pier, and boat slips for AMO’s vessel fleet, including the new 41-foot SAFE Boat.

The newest vessel in the fleet incorporates technological advances in hull design, safety equipment and electronics packages, to enhance operational effectiveness. The new vessels have four 350 horsepower Mercury outboard engines, have a range of 350 nautical miles, and are capable of patrolling for 10 hours.

Today, AMO has approximately 1,800 federal employees, including 1,200 federal agents, 240 aircraft, and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

In Fiscal Year 2017, AMO enforcement actions resulted in the approximate seizure or disruption of 269,790 pounds of cocaine; 384,230 pounds of marijuana; 5,721 pounds of methamphetamine; 1,089 weapons and $26.1 million; 2,573 arrests and 37,009 apprehensions of illegal aliens.

To learn more about how AMO secures the maritime border, please check out this video.

For photos of the CIV, check out our Flickr page.

AMO interdicts unlawful people and cargo approaching U.S. borders, investigates criminal networks, provides domain awareness in the air and maritime environments, and responds to contingencies and national taskings.

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.

Last Modified: Mar 04, 2024