Coast Guard in high seas pursuit near South Padre Island

January 21, 2020 11:00 PM in News - Local

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — The Coast Guard was involved in a high-speed pursuit Wednesday near South Padre Island.

The U.S. Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies, including Marine Interdiction Units from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, intercepted a Mexican fishing vessel.

"The vessel failed to yield which resulted in a forty-five (45) minute pursuit between the Jetties and Beach Access 6," according to a federal criminal complaint filed on Thursday.

The Coast Guard disabled the fishing boat by firing "disabling rounds" into its motor.

The Coast Guard seized about 650 pounds of marijuana. Three people were arrested.

Correction: This story originally stated that Mexican authorities had been asked to assist the Coast Guard; the Coast Guard did not ask Mexican authorities for assistance, according Hailye Reynolds, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Coast Guard in Corpus Christi.

https://www.krgv.com/news/coast-guar...h-padre-island