Thread: Illegal Immigrant-smuggling boat drops 21 at Carlsbad State

Illegal Immigrant-smuggling boat drops 21 at Carlsbad State Beach in darkness, officials say

LA Times
October 2, 2009

Twenty-one suspected illegal immigrants were arrested early this morning at Carlsbad State Beach, Calif., after U.S. Border Patrol agents spotted a smuggling boat bringing its passengers ashore, officials said.

The 21, all Mexican nationals, consisted of 15 men, five women, and a 16-year-old boy, officials said. Only three were wearing safety vests.

The boat, with two people aboard, was spotted leaving the beach and was not located, officials said.

The incident, which occurred about 2:30 a.m., is the latest in which smugglers appear to be dropping their passengers further north than in previous years, attempting to evade authorities.

-- Tony Perry in San Diego

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2 ... kness.html

I am sure there won't be a load of people at a beach at 2:30 a.m. with night vision binoculars and a direct link to authorities, so what better than a state park? If I remember, parks usually closed at dark in Fla.

C.B.P. News Release

Border Patrol Arrests 21 at Carlsbad State Beach

Agents, Sheriff’s Deputies Prevent Early Morning Smuggling Attempt

(Friday, October 02, 2009)

Carlsbad, Calif. - Early this morning, U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested 21 Mexican nationals who are suspected of illegally entering the country from Mexico by traveling at sea aboard a smuggling boat.

At about 2:30 a.m., an agent on patrol spotted a panga boat as it approached the coastline and observed the suspected illegal aliens exit the vessel. The agent reported the boat returned to sea with two individuals aboard.

Additional agents, along with San Diego sheriff’s deputies, responded to the scene and found 15 males, five females, and a 16-year-old boy after a brief search. The agents determined that the individuals are Mexican nationals illegally in the country. Of the 21 individuals, only three were found to be wearing personal flotation devices. The suspected smuggling boat was not found.

To maintain a strong enforcement posture along the coastal border in San Diego Sector, the U.S. Border Patrol upholds partnerships with other law enforcement agencies.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
San Diego Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (619) 216-4182 Ext: 114 or
(619) 652-9966 Ext: 192 (Spanish)

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 022009.xml