On Sunday, the Coast Guard intercepted a vessel carrying 11 individuals about 23 miles west of Point Loma, California. In a statement released by the U.S. Coast Guard, the crew aboard the Cutter Benjamin Bottoms (WPC-1132) detained the group at approximately 5:40 PM after a brief pursuit.
During the patrolling of the waters, the Benjamin Bottoms crew members aboard the cutter detected the 26-foot cuddy cabin-style boat filled with passengers identifying themselves as Mexican nationals. A Coast Guard boarding team attempted to stop the vessel for an inspection, leading to a pursuit when the boat initially ignored the law enforcement lights and tried to flee.
Compliance was eventually gained after the boarding team fired several disabling rounds into the vessel's engine, stopping it from escaping. The suspects were transferred to a Coast Guard Station San Diego boat crew, who later handed them to another Department of Homeland Security agency at Ballast Point for further investigation.
