By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Sea Otter (WPB 87362) interdicted 37 migrants from a 33-foot vessel, approximately seven nautical miles off Point Loma on Saturday.
While on patrol, crewmembers aboard the Sea Otter spotted a vessel operating without navigation lights. The Sea Otter’s boarding team, along with members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection boarded the boat and discovered the 37 migrants aboard.
Of the 37 migrants taken into custody, 30 were determined to be of Mexican nationality, two were identified as Salvadoran nationals, three were of Guatemalan nationality, one was of Colombian nationality, and one was a U.S. citizen, who was reported to be the vessel’s operator. The 37 individuals were taken to Ballast Point and transferred to Customs and Border Protection.
