Coast Guard Detains 37 Off SoCal
Thirty-seven people were apprehended on a single vessel near Santa Cruz Island in mid-October.
By Jason Cooper ·
The U.S. Coast Guard reported that 37 individuals were detained off the Southern California coast during October. All detainees were aboard one vessel that was stopped near Santa Cruz Island. The maritime authority confirmed these actions occurred between Oct. 5 and Oct. 30.
On Oct. 9, the patrol crew of the Cutter Narwhal located the group. The vessel was a 25-foot boat with a cuddy cabin. The crew found 23 suspected undocumented migrants on board. The incident took place near the largest of the Channel Islands.
Federal officials stated that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) assumed custody of the migrants. The group was initially transported to the USCG base in Los Angeles-Long Beach. A separate Coast Guard crew from the Channel Islands sector seized the boat and handed it over to CBP.
Capt. Jason Hagen, the Southwest District chief of enforcement, addressed the ongoing operations. He noted that the agency works with federal and international partners to disrupt smuggling. Hagen described the efforts as a persistent, multi-mission presence in the region.
Hagen emphasized that crews are prepared to enforce federal laws and conduct border security operations. He warned that dangerous migration attempts put lives at risk. He specifically cited overcrowded and poorly equipped vessels that are not suited for ocean conditions.
Source: MyNewsLA (City News Service)
