SAN DIEGO—Working in coordination with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) partners, U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agents arrested 12 people in a maritime smuggling event Monday morning.
The event began at approximately 2:30 a.m., when a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) cutter encountered a pleasure-craft vessel 28 nautical miles west of Point Loma, Calif. Intercepting the boat, USCG found it non-operational and dead in the water. There was one visible person on board.
After boarding the vessel, USCG personnel found an additional 11 people hidden inside the cabin. All 12 onboard were suspected of attempting to enter the U.S. illegally.
USCG transported the group and vessel to an Air and Marine Operations (AMO) boat nearby. Subsequently, AMO transported them to Ballast Point, where U.S. Border Patrol agents took custody of all 12 individuals.
The group included seven Mexican national males between the ages of 21 and 58 and one 21-year-old Mexican national female. Also present were two Guatemalan national males, ages 23 and 37, and two Colombian national females, ages 30 and 42.
All 12 admitted to entering the U.S. illegally and were transported to a nearby Border Patrol station for processing. Out of the 12, two individuals face Federal human-smuggling charges. AMO crews processed and seized the vessel.
If you have information about maritime smuggling or suspicious activity along the coast of California, call 911, and you will be directed through the proper channels.