SAN DIEGO — Coast Guard boarding teams interdicted six suspected aliens offshore San Diego, Thursday afternoon.
At 4:38 p.m., watchstanders detected a vessel, Down Time, crossing north into U.S. waters.
A boarding team from Coast Guard Cutter David Duren (WPC 1156) was actively boarding another vessel, Flying Fish, when they were diverted to intercept.
David Duren’s boarding team interdicted Down Time without use of force necessary and identified 3 suspected aliens aboard. Two claiming Mexican nationality, and one making separate claims of United States and Mexican nationality.
Meanwhile, a boarding team from a Coast Guard Maritime Security and Safety Team (MSST) was deployed to finish the boarding of Flying Fish and escort them to port.
During escort, Flying Fish altered course back south and increased speed to evade the MSST boarding team. The team employed gradual use of force, which resulted in disabling fire to stop the engines and gain control of the vessel.
The MSST boarding team identified 3 suspected aliens aboard, all claiming Mexican nationality
All six aliens were transferred to U.S. Border Patrol custody at Ballast Point.
–USCG–