The List?n Diario reports that in the past six weeks there has been an increase in the number of illegal boat trips that have departed from Dominican coasts en route to Puerto Rico. The increase comes at a time when the U.S. and Dominican navies are participating in the Frontier Lance operation to combat drug trafficking in the area. The U.S. Coast Guard has reinforced vigilance in the area adding five airplanes capable of night-time surveillance that are based in Aguadilla, the closest point between the DR and Puerto Rico. Press reports indicate that the increase in the attempts by Dominicans to migrate to Puerto Rico by boat is funded by narcotics dealers in order to force the airplanes and ships participating in the Frontier Lance operation to focus their attention on the route to Aguadilla while the drug smugglers make it into Puerto Rico by way of Ponce. U.S. authorities estimate that in the past 45 days more than 100 unauthorized boats have departed Dominican shores. This figure includes drug-smuggling craft. Earlier this week, a small ship capsized in rough seas, with a death toll of 40. Reportedly, the 65 occupants of the ship paid upwards of RD$10,000 for the one-way ticket to Puerto Rico. El Siglo newspaper reported that the Puerto Rican Coast Guard authorities have returned 321 Dominicans so far this year caught while attempting illegal entrance to Puerto Rico. The Coast Guard last week rescued 140 Dominicans that were on board another illegal expedition that suffered mechanical difficulties on the way to Puerto Rico.