CBP, ICE, & USCG Interdict Human Smuggling
Federal patrols of the waters off the coast of San Diego intercepted two attempts by illegal immigrant smugglers in recent days.
Marine interdiction agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported the first attempt around 3 a.m. on July 31 while on patrol about five miles off La Jolla.
Using a night vision scope, officers spotted a large group of people on board a panga that had no running lights.
The CBP officers overtook the 30-foot boat in their Midnight Express interceptor vessel. A second CBP vessel provided backup as the officers took 23 Mexican nationals into custody, three woman and 20 men, attempting to enter the U.S. illegally.
The next afternoon, CBP officers spotted a Sea Ray entering U.S. waters from Mexico south of Point Loma.
An inspection of the 24-foot boat, piloted by a U.S. citizen, revealed four other passengers deemed illegal by the federal officers, a woman, two Mexican men and a Guatamalan man.
None of the occupants were wearing life jackets, the CBP said.
Both boats were seized and the illegal immigrants were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol agents. The U.S. citizen was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
The operation is part of a multi-agency effort to enforce maritime laws off the San Diego and Orange county coastlines made up of officers from CPB, ICE, the Coast Guard, and other law enforcement partners, the CBP said.
Filed Under: Alien & Migrant Interdiction
