November 12, 09

NEWS / Border Patrol, Air and Marine Coordinated Effort in California Results in Arrest of 24

Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Calif. – Three men are being held in federal custody for alien smuggling charges after they illegally transported two dozen Mexican nationals by sea to Cardiff State Beach early this morning.


At about 1:25 a.m., U.S. Border Patrol agents spotted a 30-foot panga boat as it came ashore. Upon observing several individuals exit the boat, the agents, along with San Diego Sheriff’s Deputies, responded and apprehended 19 men, three women, and two boys, ages 16 and 17, all of whom were illegally in the country.


U.S. Customs and Border Protection Marine Interdiction agents later located and stopped the boat used in the smuggling incident about two miles west of Cardiff State Beach. The agents arrested three male Mexican nationals aboard the boat.


The three men have been charged for alien smuggling by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.


The integration of personnel, resources, and prosecution efforts from the involved law enforcement agencies acts as a force multiplier to prevent the smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband along the coastal border in the San Diego region.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/11102009_2.xml