Thread: Eight arrested in suspected human smuggling incident after boat beached in Coronado

Eight arrested in suspected human smuggling incident after boat beached in Coronado

[This boat was beached on Coronado early Friday morning, and Border Patrol agents arrested eight men they said were trying to sneak into the country.
(Courtesy U.S. Border Patrol)


Five Mexican and three Yemeni men were captured in the early Friday morning incident

By TERI FIGUEROA
FEB. 21, 2020 6:42 PM

SAN DIEGO — After authorities spotted a small boat creep into United States’ waters in dense fog early Friday morning, federal agents caught eight men apparently sneaking into the country after beaching their boat in Coronado, the U.S. Border Patrol announced.

The eight were all in the country illegally, and included five men from Mexico and three men from Yemen, the agency said in a news release.

It’s rare for people trying to sneak in from the Pacific Ocean to come from countries not in either the western hemisphere or along the Pacific Rim, Supervisory Agent William Rogers said.

The incident started about 1:15 a.m. when authorities with the Joint Harbor Operations Center saw a small boat enter U.S. waters.

Using what the Border Patrol called “additional surveillance equipment,” the team of watchers were able to track the boat in dense fog.

As agents headed to the area, the group ditched the small boat on the shore just north of Coronado State Beach.

Chief Patrol Agent Aaron M. Heitke@USBPChiefSDC

#USBP agents responded to 2 maritime smuggling events in the last 24hrs. 5 Mexicans & 3 Yemenis were arrested near Coronado & at least 10 others got away near Torrey Pines SB. If you see something, say something! SD agents are responsible for over 100 miles of CA coastline.



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12:15 PM - Feb 21, 2020
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The eight men on board took off running. Five were caught quickly, and the other three were found hiding nearby, the Border Patrol said.

The men ranged in age from 19 to 36 years old. All were taken into Border Patrol custody, Rogers said.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com...ed-in-coronado

Three Migrants from Yemen Apprehended in Human Smuggling Op off California Coast