CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard interdicted and detained four Mexican fishermen allegedly engaged in illegal fishing and seized approximately 450 pounds of fish in federal waters off southern Texas, Sept. 22, 2025.
A Coast Guard Station South Padre Island boat crew, in coordination with Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi, detected and interdicted a total of four Mexican fishermen allegedly engaged in illegal fishing north of the Maritime Boundary Line (MBL) in the Gulf of America.
After interdicting the lancha, the Coast Guard crew detained the Mexican fishermen, brought them to Coast Guard Station South Padre Island, and transferred them to U.S Homeland Security Investigations personnel for processing. Coast Guard personnel also seized approximately 450 pounds of red snapper, along with fishing gear and equipment found on board the vessel.
The Coast Guard will continue to defend our maritime borders, uphold our nation's sovereignty, and ensure that those who threaten the sustainability of our resources are held accountable. The case has been referred to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
A lancha is a fishing boat used by Mexican fishermen that is approximately 20-30 feet long, with a slender profile, one outboard motor, and capable of traveling at speeds exceeding 30 mph. Lanchas are frequently used to illegally fish in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near the U.S.-Mexico border in the Gulf of America. The illegal harvest and trade of red snapper and other fish species is often a revenue stream for criminal organizations. Apart from their use for illegal seafood harvesting in U.S. waters, lanchas may also be used to move illicit drugs and aliens into the United States.
If you witness suspicious activity or illegal fishing in state waters (from land to 9 miles offshore), please contact “Operation Game Thief” at 1-800-792-GAME (4263). For all suspicious activity or illegal fishing occurring in federal waters (200 miles offshore), please contact the U.S. Coast Guard at 361-939-0450.
For more information follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
- USCG -