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Coast Guard Public Affairs Detachment San Diego |
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| News Release |
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DHS agencies, Sheriffs apprehend suspected migrants SAN DIEGO — The Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department worked together to interdict two boats with suspected illegal migrants near Carlsbad, Calif., Wednesday morning. The Coast Guard received notification from CBP at 2:30 a.m., of a suspected smuggling boat near Ponto Beach, and an MH-60J Jayhawk helicopter crew launched from Coast Guard Sector San Diego to aid in the search for migrants. A CBP helicopter and boat, working in tandem, chased the smuggling boat ashore. Border Patrol agents and Sheriff's Department personnel apprehended six suspected illegal migrants and continue to search the area for other suspected migrants on shore. The Coast Guard helicopter crew spotted a second suspected smuggling boat approximately eight miles offshore. The Coast Guard Cutter Petrel, an 87-foot patrol boat patrolling in the area, and a CBP boat were diverted to intercept the second boat. The CBP boat crew intercepted the second boat at approximately 4 a.m. and found 23 suspected illegal migrants aboard. The Petrel's crew took the migrants and the smuggling boat into custody. The Petrel's crew transported the 23 migrants from the second boat to Sector San Diego, where they were transferred to the Department of Homeland Security's Maritime Task Force personnel. Through close cooperation with partner agencies, federal and local law enforcement agencies were able to stop 29 suspected illegal migrants and continue to search for more that came ashore. For more information on CBP's ongoing search, please contact Customs and Border Protection at 619-744-5245. ### Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790. |
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