Border Patrol arrests 24 in entry attempts by sea

By Michael Burge, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
April 12, 2010 at 7:45 p.m.

SAN DIEGO — Border Patrol agents arrested 24 people who attempted to enter the country by sea over the weekend, and seized three boats, authorities said.

At 6:30 a.m. Friday agents answered a call of suspicious activity near the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station and arrested a person on the beach who told them he arrived there illegally by boat. They searched the area and arrested eight companions, they said.

Later they arrested a Mexican male driving a van who said he was looking for the eight, according to a statement by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

At 6:30 p.m. Saturday, agents saw a cabin-style vessel near Mission Bay and approached the operator as it docked. Agents found five Mexican nationals on board, all of whom were entering illegally, they said. The vessel was seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. The operator was arrested on smuggling charges.

About 1 p.m. Sunday, agents intercepted a 24-foot Bayliner near Ocean Beach and arrested eight Mexican nationals who were entering the country illegally, authorities said. One of the eight faces smuggling charges. That vessel was also seized.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010 ... empts-sea/