11 Mexican nationals found in boat off Newport Beach

June 4, 2015
Updated 7:00 p.m.
BY SCOTT SCHWEBKE / STAFF WRITER



U.S. Border Patrol agents seized a Panga-style boat carrying nine men and two women at around 3 a.m. Wednesday.COURTESY OF ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

NEWPORT BEACH – A boat carrying 11 Mexican nationals was discovered early Wednesday by authorities off the coast of Newport Beach, U.S. Border Patrol officials said in a statement.

The Panga-style boat, which is an open, outboard-powered fishing vessel, was spotted by Border Patrol agents around 3 a.m.

The agents made contact with the boat’s occupants at Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach. Nine men and two women, who are Mexican nationals, were detained.

All of the individuals are in the custody of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security pending processing, according to the statement. The boat has also been seized as evidence.

The Border Patrol was assisted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Harbor Patrol Division.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7767 sschwebke@ocregister.com Twitter: @thechalkoutline

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