CBP stops two illegal immigration attempts off San Diego coast

August 04, 2010 12:39 PM

STORY COURTESY OF THE U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION
SAN DIEGO— U.S. Customs and Border Protection Marine Interdiction Agents thwarted two illegal immigration attempts at sea this past weekend, off the coast of San Diego.

In the first attempt on Saturday at about 3 a.m., CBP Marine Interdiction Agents on routine patrol about five miles off the coast of La Jolla spotted a vessel of interest on their radar. Using night vision, the agents confirmed that the vessel was a panga, a Mexican fishing boat commonly used in U.S. waters for illegal smuggling activity, with a large group of people aboard running with no lights.

The agents aboard the CBP Midnight Express maritime interceptor vessel interdicted the 30-foot white panga, which stopped shortly after the agents used the lights and siren on their interceptor vessel. A second CBP maritime interceptor vessel with Marine Interdiction Agents and a CBP officer onboard also provided backup for the interdiction.

There were a total of 23 Mexican nationals, three female and 20 male, attempting to enter the United States illegally aboard the panga. Marine Interdiction Agents found only 21 life jackets for the 23 people.

In the second attempt on Sunday, at about 3:30 p.m., CBP Marine Interdiction Agents stopped a recreational vessel crossing into the U.S. from Mexico about four miles south of Point Loma.

Upon investigating the 1976 24-foot Sea Ray, Marine Interdiction Agents discovered that the male U.S. citizen driving the boat was accompanied by four illegal aliens; one female and two male Mexican citizens and one male Guatemalan citizen. None of the boat’s occupants were wearing life jackets.

CBP Marine Interdiction Agents seized both vessels, and turned custody of the illegal aliens over to U.S. Border Patrol agents. The agents turned custody of the U.S. citizen over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

The interdiction was part of a coordinated effort by member agencies of the San Diego Maritime Unified Command. The San Diego Maritime Unified Command, comprised of CPB, ICE, the Coast Guard, and other law enforcement partners, is an all-threats multi-agency approach to maritime law enforcement operating in the San Diego and Orange County maritime region

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