AROUND THE COUNTRY CABO ROJO, PUERTO RICO US Customs Agent Michel Maceda was shot and killed while conducting a narcotics operation 12 miles southwest of Puerto Rico. By Holly Matkin and Sandy Malone CABO ROJO, PUERTO RICO – U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations Marine Interdiction Agent Michel Maceda was murdered in the line of duty on Thursday November 17th, during a shootout with alleged drug smugglers. The confrontation occurred approximately 14 miles off the southwest coast of the island of Puerto Rico, near Cabo Rojo, at approximately 8 a.m. on Nov. 17, FOX News reported. “On Nov. 17, at approximately 8:00AM, three CBP Marine Interdiction Agents were involved in an exchange of gunfire with individuals on board a suspected smuggling vessel upon approach 14 miles off the coast of Cabo Rojo Puerto Rico,” CBP said in a statement. The encounter took place along the Mona Passage, a major corridor for smugglers running cocaine from South America, the Associated Press reported. The three agents were shot during an exchange of gunfire with two suspects who were aboard the alleged smuggling vessel, the agency said. One of the suspects was killed in the gunfight. The second suspect was arrested. The three wounded CBP agents were airlifted to hospitals in Puerto Rico, where one agent was pronounced dead. “An agent that was transported directly to a hospital in Mayagüez… they have confirmed he has passed away,” said CBP Spokesperson Jeffrey Quinones, according to CNN. The deceased agent was later identified as Michel Maceda. Puerto Rico Medical Services Administration Medical Director Israel Ayala said on Thursday night that one of the surviving wounded agents remained in critical condition, and the other was in stable condition, CNN reported. “One of them was immediately admitted to the stabilization unit and is being treated by emergency physicians and trauma surgeons,” Ayala said. “Meanwhile, the other agent is in an area that we call minor surgery and is also being evaluated and treated by the emergency room and trauma services.” The FBI is leading the ongoing investigation into the deadly shootout, the Associated Press reported. Quinones said investigators are working to determine where the boat was coming from, as well as the nationalities of its passengers. “These are brave members of our Air and Marine Operations within U.S. Customs and Border Protection,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told a Senate committee after the gun battle, according to the Associated Press. “So, the difficulty of this job cannot be compared to the difficulty that our front line personnel face every day. Their bravery and selfless service AGENT MICHEL MACEDA should be recognized.” Later the same morning, a second U.S. marine interdiction team intercepted another nearby smuggling vessel and arrested two suspects they found on board, the Associated Press reported. Investigators also seized multiple firearms and other contraband from the boat. The CBP said both suspects apprehended on the vessel are U.S. citizens. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations Marine Interdiction Agent Michel Maceda, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service. Agent Michel Maceda, your life mattered. 16 The BLUES The BLUES 17
Holloway showed “remarkable” ca
Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Law Enf
Tactical Vest Koozie This is a funn
Kickass Rides for Adults ZFORCE 950
RIDE-ON CAR MASERATI FOR KIDS This
HONORING OUR FALLEN HEROES LIEUTENA
HONORING OUR FALLEN HEROES DEPUTY S
BY LT. BOB EVANS The Christmas That
A Cop, Flight Nurse and Two Endings
THE OPEN ROAD by Michael Barron Bes
11. HONDA PIONEER 1000- 5This five-
A BADGE OF HONOR healing our heroes
NOT SO BRIGHT AWARD lig ht bul b aw
DR. TINA JAECKLE blue mental health
SUPPORT THE OFFICER DOWN MEMORIAL P
ADS BACK IN THE DAY 126 The BLUES T
Your Source for Law Enforcement Pro
CAP Fleet is an emergency vehicle u
DANA SAFETY SUPPLY Dana Safety Supp
Key Management & Key Control Produc
Supporting Law Enforcement in TEXAS
NOW HIRING LE job posit ions Tx. Co
154 The BLUES The BLUES 155
austin officers austin dispatch 158
BECOME A BAYTOWN PATROL OFFICER! ST
Cuero Police Department Now Hiring
Forney ISD Police Department NOW HI
174 The BLUES The BLUES 175
WE ARE HIRING! BENEFITS • Free ba
Welcome Mesquite PD 182 The BLUES T
Memorial Villages Police Department
MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY
PORT HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT WE A
City of Wylie Police Department OFF
202 The BLUES
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Follow Us
Facebook