21 Aboard Panga Detained by Coast Guard Crews

The vessel was detected about 12 miles from Point Loma Friday morning

Local U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) crews detained 21 suspected undocumented immigrants traveling aboard a 25-foot panga near Point Loma Friday.

According to the USCG, the group was detected approximately 12 miles west of Point Loma just before 10 a.m.

A civilian on a fishing vessel noticed the panga and alerted the Coast Guard, who then launched a 33-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement boat crew from Station San Diego to respond to the scene.

The Coast Guard Cutter Haddock Crew also responded and eventually detained the suspects. They were taken to Coast Guard Sector San Diego until U.S. Border Patrol Agents arrived and took the 21 individuals into custody.

The panga was towed to shore for investigation.

The USCG urges anyone with information about maritime smuggling or suspicious activity along the coast of Southern California to contact the Sector San Diego U.S. Coast Guard Joint Harbor Operations Center at (800) 854-9834.
 

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