The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) apprehended 35 suspected illegal immigrants and three suspected smugglers in four separate maritime interdictions this past week.
In the first interdiction, the Coast Guard’s Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) Honolulu intercepted a 34-foot sailing vessel on July 12 as it crossed the maritime boundary line about five miles off Point Loma, a peninsula in San Diego.
“The MSST Honolulu boatcrew boarded the vessel and spoke with the operator, who was identified as a U.S. citizen and claimed he was alone. During the inspection, the crew found another individual hidden below deck, prompting further investigation,” a July 13 USCG statement said….