Federal authorities intercepted five suspected migrant smuggling boats off the Southern California coast Saturday, detaining 62 foreign nationals in a coordinated operation south of San Clemente Island, officials said.
The interdictions began around 12:30 p.m. Feb. 22, when watchstanders at the Joint Harbor Operations Center in San Diego received reports of small vessels traveling north from Mexican waters. The boats were described as 20- to 25-foot cuddy-cabin craft outfitted with fishing gear and extra fuel containers, a configuration commonly associated with maritime smuggling attempts.
Within roughly 90 minutes, federal crews stopped all five vessels.
You might be interested in: Baja California No Longer Deemed High-Risk by U.S. Embassy
The first boat, located about 26 miles south of San Clemente Island, was flying a U.S. flag and initially complied with boarding procedures. Authorities said 10 Mexican nationals were found aboard.
A second vessel attempted to evade law enforcement, triggering a brief pursuit. After warning shots were fired, the operator stopped. Ten more Mexican nationals were detained.
A third boat carrying nine Mexican nationals was intercepted by a Department of Homeland Security partner agency.
A fourth vessel was tracked by a U.S. Navy helicopter and intercepted by sailors from the USS Augusta, working alongside a Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Team. Sixteen migrants were aboard — 14 Mexican nationals and two Colombian nationals.
Keep reading: San Diego Bishop Frequently Visited Tijuana’s Hong Kong Brothel — And It Wasn’t for the Chinese Food
The fifth boat also failed to comply with orders, and warning shots were fired before it was stopped. Authorities reported 17 people aboard, including 16 Mexican nationals and one Guatemalan national.
Among those detained was one unaccompanied minor. All 62 individuals were taken into federal custody for processing.
Officials said four of the vessels were seized. The fifth was determined to be unseaworthy and was left adrift.
The operation underscores ongoing maritime smuggling activity along the California coast, where federal agencies continue to coordinate interdiction efforts in waters near the U.S.–Mexico border.
