The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a small boat with five individuals suspected of being unauthorized aliens off the coast near Point Loma, California. Coast Guard Sector San Diego's watchstanders spotted the 20-foot vessel making its way towards Mission Bay from the direction of the Maritime Boundary Line yesterday evening, the Coast Guard reported.
Following the sighting at approximately 7:01 p.m., Coast Guard officials deployed a 36-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement boat from Station San Diego to pursue and subsequently intercept the craft 2.5 miles southwest of Point Loma. Among those on board, three claimed Mexican nationality, one Guatemalan, and one Peruvian. After being taken into custody, all five individuals were transported to Ballast Point for a custody transfer to another Department of Homeland Security agency.
The waters around Point Loma are no strangers to smuggling attempts by sea. The maritime route for unauthorized migration and trafficking presents continuous challenges for Coast Guard and border security operations. These interdictions are part of the Coast Guard's broader role in integrating with other law enforcement agencies to maintain a watchful eye on U.S. coastlines and territorial waters.
Officials have not released details on the ownership or original departure point of the vessel, nor the intended destination in Mission Bay.
