U.S. Border Patrol Nabs 17 at Blacks Beach

US Border Patrol

Seventeen Mexican nationals smuggled by boat were arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents on July 18, at the La Jolla coastline.

At about 12:30 a.m., U.S. Coast Guard personnel notified agents of a panga boat with several individuals on board traveling towards Blacks Beach.  Border Patrol agents immediately responded and discovered a boat washed ashore at about 1 a.m.

 

After a brief search, the agents discovered 13 males and four females as they attempted to hide in a nearby canyon.  The agents detained the group and transported them to the Imperial Beach Border Patrol Station for processing.

 

An investigation is currently being conducted to identify and prosecute the individuals responsible for this smuggling attempt.

 

The Maritime Unified Command, a collaborative law enforcement effort between local, state and federal agencies operating in the San Diego maritime domain, utilizes the fusion of intelligence, planning and operations to target the threat of transnational crime along the coastal border.  Since October 1, 2009, until June 30, 2010, more than 580 foreign nationals have been arrested from maritime smuggling attempts.