• Community Events
  • Home
  • Employment
  • Local
    • Central San Diego
    • North County
    • East County
    • South Bay
    • Northeastern
    • Riverside County
  • Entertainment
    • Music
    • Television
    • Art
    • Theater
    • Film
    • Events
    • Theme Parks
    • Podcast/Radio
    • Museums
    • Books
  • Business
  • National
  • Politics
  • Science & Technology
    • Computer
    • Science
    • Space
  • Sports
  • Environment
    • Clean Air
    • Climate change
    • Land
    • Ocean
    • Pollution
    • Recycling
  • Health
    • Health Business
    • Health Education
    • Medical
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Senior Life
    • Society

San Diego County News

Independent publication serving San Diego County

San Diego officials warn against illegal entry at sea, increase patrols for Memorial Day weekend

May 29, 2021 By sdcnews

San Diego, CA–In an effort to deter individuals from considering dangerous attempts to illegally enter the U.S. by sea, law enforcement officials are increasing patrols off the coast of San Diego this Memorial Day weekend.

“Smugglers don’t adhere to boating safety standards. These are long and dangerous excursions, with overladen vessels traveling without navigational lights and no safety equipment,” said Brandon Tucker, Deputy Director of Air Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s, Air and Marine Operations, San Diego Air and Marine Branch. “People need to understand that they are risking their lives in the hands of smugglers who value only the money they are paid.”   

From May 28, through Tuesday, June 1, federal law enforcement partners will dedicate extra resources to coastal patrols covering the land, air, and sea. San Diego residents will see an increase in various law enforcement and public safety agencies all along the San Diego coastline, including at beaches and marinas, in San Diego Bay, and out along the coast. Assets on the land and on the water will be working in conjunction with crews in helicopters and airplanes providing aerial patrols. If San Diego residents see smuggling-related activity, they are encouraged to call the Joint Harbor Operations Center at 1 (800) 854-9834 #1 to report any suspicious or potentially unsafe activities, or 9-1-1 for any emergencies.

“As a reminder to the public, if you see something out of the ordinary near the coast, don’t hesitate to call authorities,” said Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke, U.S. Border Patrol, San Diego Sector. “Recent maritime events have demonstrated that smugglers exploit migrants and put lives in significant danger for their own profit.” 

Through the Regional Coordinating Mechanism (ReCoM), law enforcement officials in the San Diego region routinely coordinate to: share intelligence; coordinate assets for coverage, patrols, and response; leverage resources dedicated to securing San Diego waterways; plan operations; and more. ReCoM partners, in addition to their standard patrols, perform targeted operations as conditions dictate and resources permit. Officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, including Air and Marine Operations, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Office of Field Operations, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, have worked with law enforcement and public safety partners to target this upcoming holiday weekend, when officials typically see a large increase in legitimate recreational boating traffic. In southern California, criminal organizations often try to take advantage of recreational traffic in attempts to blend in and obscure their smuggling activities. 

All boaters are reminded to be safe this Memorial Day weekend.  

“Preparing for the start of the recreational boating season, the U.S. Coast Guard reminds all mariners to use good judgement, and practice safe navigation and seamanship at all times,” said CDR Seth Parker, Deputy Sector Commander, USCG Sector San Diego.  “To ensure the safety of the public, the U.S. Coast Guard, along with its Federal, State, and local partners, will be increasing its maritime patrols and safety checks for the Memorial Day Weekend. As a reminder, if you or someone you observe is in danger or see something suspicious, please contact the Coast Guard on VHF Ch 16 or local authorities by dialing 911.”

40

SHARES
Share on Facebook
Tweet
Follow us

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Central San Diego, Local Tagged With: Central San Diego, Local news


Support Independent Journalism



Trending

  • County health extends water contact closure to Imperial Beach shoreline
  • Feds seize more than half a million dollars worth of fentanyl
  • CAL FIRE hits peak staffing for wildfire this summer
  • Poway fire contained at 25 acres
  • Brush fire at Buena Vista Lagoon forced evacuations in Carlsbad

Advertisement

Good Sam Travel Assist

Advertisement

Start LLC today at incorporate.com

Education

UC San Diego Extended Studies identifies top 10 jobs post COVID-19 pandemic

San … [Read More...]

Environment

Oceanside enacts Level 2 Drought Reduction actions for residents and businesses

By … [Read More...]

Science & Technology

A quarter of the world’s internet users rely on infrastructure at high risk of attack

By … [Read More...]

Advertisement

Independence Day Savings! Save up to $25◊ off our Fees on Flights Use Coupon USA25.

Advertisement

Stacy Adams

Advertisement

Summer Membership offer

Advertisement

Naturepedic

Categories

  • About Us
  • Archive
  • Community Events
  • Contact Us
  • Employment
  • Private Policy
  • Terms of Service

Follow @SanCounty

Privacy Policy

Terms of service

Copyright © 2022 San Diego County News