SAN DIEGO — A Coast Guard boarding team interdicted 12 suspected aliens Monday offshore San Diego.
At 6:09 a.m., watchstanders detected a panga-style vessel transiting north into U.S. waters. A boarding team from a Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team deployed to intercept.
The boarding team issued commands for the vessel to stop, but the operator failed to comply and attempted to flee. The crew employed graduated use of force, which resulted in disabling fire.
Boarding team members identified 12 suspected aliens aboard, all claiming Mexican nationality.
All 12 aliens were transferred to U.S. Border Patrol personnel at Ballast Point in Imperial Beach.
–USCG–