SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) intercepted a panga-style vessel carrying 16 people off the coast of San Diego early Sunday morning, the US Armed Forces branch confirmed in a press release.
Around 12 a.m., a USCG crew reported a suspicious 25-foot vessel adrift about 15 miles off the coast of Mission Bay. The boat was located one mile south of their position, prompting an immediate response.
In coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, a joint operation was launched, deploying boarding teams to assess the situation. Upon boarding the vessel, USCG personnel discovered 16 individuals aboard, all of whom claimed to be nationals of Mexico.
The migrants were safely transferred to U.S. Border Patrol custody for further processing.
USCG emphasized in the press release that such operations are critical to ensuring the safety and security of maritime borders, while also protecting individuals attempting to enter the U.S. illegally.
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