Human smuggling boat lands near H.B.CA. Surf Contest
Published: Aug. 7, 2011 Updated: 10:15 a.m.
Officials: Human smuggling boat lands near H.B.'s U.S. Open
By CINDY CARCAMO / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
HUNTINGTON BEACH – Three foreigners in a panga-type boat attempted to land on Huntington State Beach, about a mile from the U.S. Open of Surfing, on Sunday morning, according to U.S. Coast Guard officials.
At 8:20 a.m., a small fishing boat attempted to make a landing just south of the municipal pier near lifeguard Tower 7, off Magnolia Street, Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Sean Arumae said.
The boat then headed back to sea again when those aboard spotted lifeguards and a few people around the beach at the time, Arumae said. Soon after, the boat seemed to have engine trouble and became dead in the water, he added.
Sheriff's deputies and lifeguards are working the case and immigration officials are on their way, Arumae said.
More information to come.
Contact the writer: 714-796-7924 or ccarcamo@ocregister.com or www.twitter.com/thecindycarcamo
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Re: Human smuggling boat lands near Huntington Beach U.S. Op
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnDoe2
The boat then headed back to sea again when those aboard spotted lifeguards and a few people around the beach at the time, Arumae said. Soon after, the boat seemed to have engine trouble and became dead in the water, he added.
teeheehee.....
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ail/Boat-2.jpg
Officials, guns drawn, take in men on panga
Published: Aug. 7, 2011 Updated: 3:06 p.m.
Officials, guns drawn, take in men on panga
Three Mexican nationals likely smuggling drugs, officials said.
By CINDY CARCAMO / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
HUNTINGTON BEACH – Three Mexican nationals in a panga-type boat attempted to land on Huntington State Beach, about a mile from the U.S. Open of Surfing, on Sunday morning, according to U.S. Coast Guard and sheriff's officials.
As of Sunday afternoon, officials were unclear as to exactly what the three were smuggling into the United States. However, officials said, it's likely they were smuggling drugs in rather than people.
At about 8:30 a.m., a small fishing boat attempted to make a landing just south of the municipal pier near lifeguard Tower 7, off Magnolia Street, Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Sean Arumae said.
Lifeguards spotted the boat and contacted the sheriff's Harbor Patrol, Sgt. J. Hollenbeck of the Orange County Sheriff's Department reported.
The three men realized they'd been spotted and turned the boat around and headed back to sea, throwing a package overboard, according to lifeguard officials.
Sheriff's deputies' boats used radar and chased after the panga before officers intercepted the vessel with guns drawn about a mile offshore from Newport Pier, Hollenbeck said.
The men originally claimed that they were fishing, Deputy William Nelson said. However, officials found a GPS device that showed the men had come from Catalina and had been at sea for about three days, said Nelson, who was on one of the boats that apprehended the men. He said the men later said they were from Ensenada.
All three men were arrested on suspicion of smuggling and attempting to enter the United States illegally, officials reported.
One of the men is suspected of carrying a small amount of methamphetamine and marijuana along with drug paraphernalia, Hollenbeck said.
The men and boat were taken to Newport Harbor, where U.S. Border Patrol agents took the men into custody.
This is just the latest of such cases. The ocean has become a preferred method for those seeking to smuggle human or drug cargo illegally into the United States from Mexico.
Similar incidents have occurred up and down the Orange County coastline and beyond.
Contact the writer: 714-796-7924 or ccarcamo@ocregister.com or www.twitter.com/thecindycarcamo
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