SAN DIEGO — Coast Guard crews interdicted eight aliens Saturday evening following a high-speed maritime smuggling attempt near Point Loma.
At approximately 5:50 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Diego’s Joint Harbor Operations Center observed an 18-foot cuddy cabin vessel traveling at a high rate of speed northbound, roughly two miles south of Point Loma. Watchstanders maintained visual contact using surveillance cameras as the vessel entered San Diego Bay.
A Coast Guard Station San Diego boatcrew, already underway on routine patrol, was diverted to intercept the vessel. Upon locating the vessel, the crew attempted to establish communication with the operator, who then immediately fled the scene.
After multiple unsuccessful attempts to compel the vessel to stop using verbal commands and warning shots, the crew employed disabling fire. Four rounds were fired into the vessel’s engine, successfully disabling it.
The Coast Guard crew boarded the vessel and took positive control. A total of eight aliens were aboard: five adult males, one adult female, and two juvenile males, ages 16 and 17.
The aliens and vessel were taken to Ballast Point and transferred to awaiting Department of Homeland Security partners.