who were being smuggled into the
U.S. on a small panga vessel near
Dana Point, Calif.
Tuesday night, DHS partners interdicted a panga boat at sea that was filled with undocumented migrants.
At approximately 11:30 p.m., U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) personnel intercepted a panga boat approximately 12 miles west of Dana Point, Calif. Inside the boat were a total of 20 migrants, including a pregnant woman and three juveniles.
USCG personnel escorted the boat to Dana Point Harbor where USBP agents were waiting. Agents determined that all 20 migrants were Mexican nationals unlawfully present in the U.S. The pregnant female advised USBP agents that she was seven months pregnant and experiencing labor pains. She was immediately escorted to a nearby hospital for treatment. The remaining 19 were transported to a nearby Border Patrol Station for processing and the vessel was seized by USBP.
“San Diego Sector experienced a 93 percent increase in maritime apprehensions between October 2019 and September 2020 and there are no signs of it slowing down,” said Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke. “As the threat to our coastal border persists, we ask our community stakeholders to please remain vigilant. If you see something, say something.”
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. If you have information about maritime smuggling or suspicious activity along the coast of California, please call the San Diego Joint Harbor Operations Center at 1-800-854-9834 extension 1, or notify local law enforcement by dialing 9-1-1.