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Images: Suspected Smuggling Boat Washes Ashore


Suspected Smuggling Boat Found On Local Beach

POSTED: 2:39 pm PDT July 7, 2008
UPDATED: 3:12 pm PDT July 7, 2008


SAN DIEGO -- A suspected smuggling boat was found abandoned on Torrey Pines State Beach Monday.

Park rangers came across the 25-foot motorboat about 100 yards from a lifeguard tower around 6:30 a.m., said Lauren Mack, a public information officer for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

There were no suspects or obvious evidence of smuggling activity in the area, but the type of boat involved and its run-down condition led authorities to believe it likely had served that purpose, Mack said.

At least 17 similar boats have been ditched along the San Diego County coastline so far this fiscal year, which began Oct. 1.

Officials have documented a significant increase in ocean-going smuggling of illegal immigrants and narcotics in the last several years.

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