CBP Agents Intercept Suspected Smuggling Boat Near San Diego Coast

Agents Arrest 17 Mexican Nationals, One Suspected of Smuggling
Monday, April 28, 2008

San Diego, Calif. – Early this morning, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Marine Interdiction Agents arrested 17 Mexican nationals aboard a boat about 10 miles southwest of the San Diego coastline, near Point Loma.

The agents were on patrol today at 1 a.m. when they observed the 26-foot panga on radar. Agents used night-vision cameras to detect the vessel because it was not using navigation lights.

Agents approached the boat and found 13 males and four females, all of whom were wearing life vests and were uninjured. The agents then determined the 17 individuals were Mexican nationals and they were transported to a local Border Patrol station for processing.

The boat, which did not have any apparent registration markings, was seized by CBP. It is currently being stored as evidence at Naval Air Station, North Island.

After interviewing the group, Border Patrol agents suspect one subject to be responsible for the alien smuggling. The group is being held in Border Patrol custody pending further investigation.