The United States Coast Guard has successfully intercepted a vessel carrying 16 illegal immigrants near California's Mission Bay.
This operation took place on Sunday morning, as confirmed by the Coast Guard. In an official statement, the Coast Guard detailed that a "25-foot panga-style" boat was identified approximately 15 miles from Mission Bay, carrying between 15 and 20 individuals.
As reported by American Military News, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Active was the first to spot the vessel, alerting the Joint Harbor Operations Center around midnight. Following this alert, both the Coast Guard Cutter Active and a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations team dispatched boarding parties to investigate.
Upon boarding, they confirmed the presence of "16 aliens" on the panga-style boat. Initial interviews conducted by Coast Guard officials revealed that all individuals aboard were from Mexico. These individuals have since been handed over to U.S. Border Patrol authorities.
The Coast Guard emphasized its ongoing commitment to safeguarding lives at sea and collaborating with federal partners to counteract illegal maritime activities. "The Coast Guard remains committed to protecting lives at sea while working alongside our federal partners to combat illicit maritime activities," the press release stated. "These operations highlight the coordinated efforts between agencies to secure our maritime borders."
A photograph of the intercepted panga boat and its occupants was shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, by the U.S. Coast Guard of Northern California. The caption read, "Early this morning, crews from the Coast Guard Cutter Active interdicted a panga with 16 aliens aboard off the coast of Mission Bay."
In a broader context, NBC 7 has reported that U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials have been actively collaborating with other agencies to address over 200 maritime smuggling attempts in the past three months. These attempts have involved various methods, including personal watercraft, recreational boats, flotation devices, and panga boats. This highlights the persistent challenge of securing the nation's borders against illegal entry, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and cooperation among federal agencies.
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