SAN DIEGO — The U.S. Coast Guard interdicted two suspected smugglers aboard a personal watercraft approximately 4.5 miles south of San Diego, Wednesday morning.
Coast Guard Cutter Sea Otter reported a high-speed personal watercraft crossing the maritime boundary line around 5:44 a.m. A Coast Guard Station San Diego boatcrew was diverted to intercept.
The two individuals attempted to evade the Coast Guard boatcrew, conducting erratic and dangerous maneuvers. During the pursuit, Coast Guard personnel deployed two rounds of LA-51, a non-lethal warning device, which resulted in one of the suspected smugglers sustaining an arm injury. The boatcrew gained compliance, rendered first aid, and transported both individuals ashore.
Emergency medical services met the Coast Guard crew and transported the injured individual to UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest. DHS partners took custody of both individuals for further investigation.
The nature of smuggling operations, particularity in the maritime environment, presents significant dangers to both smugglers and the Coast Guard personnel tasked with intercepting them.
The interdiction is part of ongoing multi-agency efforts to deter maritime smuggling along the U.S.-Mexico border. No further Coast Guard action is anticipated at this time.