SAN DIEGO — The Coast Guard interdicted 12 suspected aliens approximately 27 miles southwest of Mission Bay, Sunday.
At approximately 2:30 a.m., watch standers at Coast Guard Sector San Diego Joint Harbor Operations Center received a report of an unidentified vessel transiting toward U.S. waters and dispatched Coast Guard Cutter Robert Ward (WPC 1130) crew members.
Robert Ward’s boarding team was launched to intercept the 20-foot panga. The vessel, with 12 suspected aliens aboard, became noncompliant and attempted to flee. The boarding team pursued and disabled the vessel’s engine by firing several rounds.
There were no reported injuries. Eleven aliens reported Mexican nationality, and one reported El Salvadoran nationality. The Coast Guard transported all 12 aliens to another Department of Homeland Security agency at Ballast Point.
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