On August 24, 2020 U.S. Border Patrol agents, in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations arrested 14 illegal immigrants connected to a maritime smuggling event.
The incident began at approximately 10:30 a.m., when a concerned citizen called the Joint Harbor Operations Center to report that a suspicious panga-style boat had breached near Stone Steps Beach in Encinitas, CA.
Through a video review, agents determined that 13 individuals disembarked the boat. Responding quickly, agents apprehended seven people in the local neighborhood and determined they were illegally present in the U.S.
Following interviews and intelligence gathering, agents discovered that the remaining suspects were staging at a nearby hotel. Border Patrol agents conducted an investigation at the hotel. Finding the suspects, agents made seven additional arrests and discovered personal use narcotics.
A total of nine Mexican citizens, two Salvadoran citizens, and one Honduran citizen were determined to be unlawfully present in the U.S. One U.S. citizen and one lawful permanent resident from Mexico were arrested during this incident and booked for felony alien smuggling. The remaining 12 subjects were processed for removal at a nearby Border Patrol station.
