U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested 15 people involved in a maritime smuggling event over the holiday weekend at Mission Bay, which is in San Diego, CA.
The incident occurred on Sunday February 16, 2020 when agents observed a smuggling event in progress on a Cabin Cruiser fishing boat at the Ski Beach launch ramp.
Agents approached the boat and saw a large group of individuals rapidly exiting the vessel, attempting to load into three separate get away vehicles. Agents questioned the 15 people and determined they were involved in a maritime smuggling event.
All 15 people were arrested including six suspected human smugglers. The 15 detainees were transported to a Border Patrol station for processing.
Of the men arrested, nine were Mexican nationals ranging from 27 to 41 years old who admitted to being illegally present in the U.S.
Six other people were arrested for human smuggling, including a 46-year-old Mexican national who was identified as the boat’s captain.
The Border Patrol identified five additional smugglers, all U.S. citizens, including four adult men ranging from 20 to 30 years old and one 25-year-old woman.
The six human smugglers face federal charges. The boat and the three vehicles were seized by U.S. Border Patrol.
