Man faces charges for breaching fence at Ponce’s Mercedita Airport

By The Star Staff

Puerto Rico Ports Authority Executive Director Norberto Negrón Díaz announced Sunday that a person faces charges for unauthorized entry into the Mercedita Airport in Ponce.

“Security at our airports and docks is vital to the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, which is why we have implemented an extensive monitoring program at each of these facilities,” the Ports chief said in a written statement. “Due to the type of operations carried out at airports, as well as federal regulations from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the perimeter of any international airport is something that cannot be breached. Yesterday, personnel from the Port Security Office, assigned to Mercedita Airport, detected an unauthorized entry into the perimeter of that facility.”

Negrón noted that at around 10:20 a.m., a 35-year-old man climbed one of the airport perimeter fences in the area of ​​Gate 9, along Highway PR-5983.

“Security protocols were immediately activated, including notifying law enforcement authorities, in this case, the Ponce Municipal Police, who responded to the scene to intervene with the individual,” the officials said. “The individual was arrested shortly afterward, and charges for burglary and violating Part 1542 of the Code of Federal Regulations are being considered.”

“State and federal laws related to airports are designed to provide the greatest possible security for air operations in the United States, including Puerto Rico,” Negrón said. We will continue to implement additional measures that provide enhanced monitoring in all areas within our airport infrastructure.”