Boat carrying 17 suspected illegal immigrants stopped offshore
UNION-TRIBUNE BREAKING NEWS TEAM
11:44 a.m. April 28, 2008


Courtesy U.S. Customs & Border Protection
This 26-foot vessel intercepted off the coast of San Diego around 1 a.m. Monday was carrying 17 people.


SAN DIEGO – A boat carrying 17 suspected illegal immigrants who authorities said were being smuggled into the country was seized by U.S. officials early Monday morning.
The 26-foot vessel was found about 10 miles off the coast of Point Loma at 1 a.m. by agents using night vision cameras, said U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Vince Bond.

The boat did not have any navigation lights nor any registration markings, Bond said.

The 13 men and 4 women were taken into custody. One of them will be charged with alien smuggling, Bond said.

All were wearing life jackets and none was injured, Bond said.

Last month authorities found 15 suspected illegal immigrants adrift in a boat about 20 miles north of the border and 15 miles west of Mission Bay.

They told officials they had been stranded for three days. Two men on board, who were both Mexican nationals, were arrested and the others were processed for deportation.

Immigration officials estimate there have been at least 20 similar smuggling attempts in recent months. Several dilapidated and abandoned boats have been found near the shore and on the beach up and down the coastline.

Just last week, an 18-foot boat washed ashore in Sunset Cliffs and authorities found about 20 bales of marijuana onboard.
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