US Coast Guard Intercepts Suspected Smuggling Vessel Off San Diego

U.S. Coast Guard crews intercepted a vessel suspected of smuggling near the San Diego coast.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Terrell Horne (WPC 1131), supported by the Navy destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) partners, stopped a 40-foot cuddy cabin-style vessel around 27 miles off the San Diego coast.

The operation began late Friday night when a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) aircraft spotted the vessel about 37 miles south of Point Loma.

A Navy SH-60 Seahawk helicopter from USS Spruance kept eyes on the boat through the night. By 7 a.m. Saturday, the vessel crossed the U.S.-Mexico maritime boundary.

At approximately 10:35 a.m., the vessel entered the U.S. contiguous zone, prompting response teams from both Terrell Horne and Spruance to board the vessel.

Officials confirmed that all eight people onboard, including seven adult males and one adult female, claimed to be Mexican nationals.

The vessel was compliant during the boarding. The group was later transferred to DHS agents in Oceanside, California.

Reference: USCG

Source: Maritime Shipping News