By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Haddock intercepted a panga-style vessel carrying 20 undocumented migrants approximately 21 miles west of Point Loma on Tuesday.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations patrol aircraft spotted the 30-foot vessel around 4 p.m. and alerted Coast Guard Sector San Diego watchstanders. In response, the Coast Guard Cutter Haddock was diverted to the area, deploying its small boat crew to interdict the vessel.
Authorities took all 20 individuals into custody, consisting of 17 men and three women who identified as Mexican and Chinese nationals. The migrants were transported to Coast Guard Sector San Diego before being handed over to U.S. Border Patrol personnel at the Imperial Beach Station.
The incident remains under investigation as officials combat illegal maritime smuggling along the Southern California coast.
