Dangerous Maritime Smuggling Attempts Continue

SAN DIEGO — U.S. Border Patrol San Diego Sector (SDC) and its Regional Coordinating Mechanism (ReCoM) partners intercepted six separate maritime smuggling events during the past two weeks.

The first incident occurred Thursday, August 12, at 8 a.m., when the Air and Marine Operations (AMO) Long Beach Marine Unit was alerted to a panga-style vessel with a large group of people onboard.  As the vessel approached the shoreline in Malibu, Calif., law enforcement officials monitored it as it transited back and forth offshore between a populated beach and surfing areas.  AMO and its Regional Coordinating Mechanism (ReCoM) partners simultaneously responded as the panga made landfall at approximately 8:30 a.m.  With its arrival at Staircase Beach, ReCoM partners apprehended 20 migrants.  All were illegally present in the U.S.  One female was transported to a hospital by emergency medical services for symptoms of dehydration.  The remaining migrants were taken to a nearby USBP station for processing.

The second incident occurred two days later on August 14, when AMO agents intercepted a pleasure craft with five Mexican nationals onboard.  The four adult men and a child were apprehended at Marina Pacifica near Long Beach.  It was determined that everyone on board was unlawfully present in the U.S. and the group was taken to a nearby station for processing.

On Sunday, August 15, at approximately 2:45 p.m.  AMO agents stopped a dual-engine cabin cruiser as it exited Newport Harbor.  Agents found two individuals on board, and adult man and a 17-year-old boy.  Both were Mexican nationals illegally present in the U.S. and were transported to a nearby station for processing.

The fourth incident also occurred on Sunday.  At approximately 4:30 p.m., the Maritime Coordinating Mechanism and ReCoM received notification of a suspicious pleasure craft at the Dana Harbor fuel dock.  USBP agents responded and conducted a record checks on the vessel.  Agents also observed evidence aboard the vessel consistent with maritime smuggling.  Questioning those on board, the agents determined that the four adult men and one adult female were illegally present in the U.S.  All five were taken to a nearby USBP station for processing.

The fifth event happened Wednesday, August 18.  At approximately 3:30 a.m., a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter spotted a panga-style vessel off the coast near Bird Rock in La Jolla, Calif.  The vessel was traveling north with several people onboard.  USBP agents responded to the area to intercept the boat.  At 3:45 a.m., the panga made landfall near Nautilus Street in La Jolla and agents arrested 15 people—13 adult males and two adult females.  Of the 13 men apprehended, 12 are Mexican nationals and one is a Guatemalan national.  The two women included one from El Salvador and one from Guatemala.  All 15 were illegally present in the U.S. and were taken to a nearby station for processing.

The latest event happened Friday, August 20.  At approximately 5:15 a.m., a USCG Cutter spotted a panga-style vessel near Point Dume on the Malibu coast.  The vessel attempted to make landfall but was stuck in kelp near the shoreline.  At that point, USCG officials launched a small boat to intercept the group.  Responding USBP agents arrived shortly after and arrested 22 people.  Sixteen were adult males and six were adult females.  Twenty were Mexican nationals and two were Guatemalan nationals.  All were illegally present in the U.S.  The group was transported to a nearby station for processing.  During routine processing, agents discovered one of the Mexican national men had an extensive criminal history including being an active gang member and convicted sex offender.  He had served two years in prison in northern California for prior crimes.

Since October 1, 2020, SDC has intercepted 312 maritime related events, made 1,654 arrests associated with those events, and seized 146 vessels and 2,820 pounds of narcotics in U.S. territorial waters.

“Smuggling along the California coastline is inherently dangerous for all involved parties,” said Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke.  “I’m thankful our agents and partners stand ready to combat all threats along our coastal borders.”

To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders.  To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.