Federal officials warned two days ago about an increase in human trafficking efforts by the sea, a boat believed to be carrying dozens of migrants off the coast of San Diego, killing four.
Recently, we have seen a dramatic increase in maritime smuggling efforts, said Patron Agent Aaron Hetke, Chief Patrol Agent of the San Diego Sector of the Department of Customs and Border Protection. Announcing increased enforcement on the coast, Friday’s news warned.
“All these illegal crossings to the sea are inherently dangerous, and we have seen a lot of diversions from risk to tragic as smugglers sacrifice the safety of those on board for profit.”
Exactly two days later, a 40-foot trawler-style vessel, believed to be illegally carrying migrants attempting to enter the country, crashed into the cliffs away from the Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma Broken, rugged peninsula about 30 miles north of Mexico. The officials said.
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department said at least 30 people were forcibly put into the surf, where some drowned and others were ripped and sucked.
By the end of Sunday, nine people were involved, including four people killed, twenty-four people survived, and one person who was in critical condition for the last time The US Coast Guard said in a news release. The SDFD said that at least 27 people are hospitalized.
“Every indication from our point of view is that it was a smuggling vessel that smuggled immigrants illegally into the United States,” Border Patrol agent Jeff Stephenson told reporters during a press briefing.
“Smugglers, they do not care about the people they are exploiting. All they care about is profit. For them, these people are just commodities. “
The agency said it was impossible for rescue teams to find out how many souls were on board for rescue teams – the crew of the US Coast Guard cutter Blackfin continued to search for others who were missing overnight.
The man aboard the boat’s hull was taken into custody soon after the incident and was “slightly out of it” after the accident, talking to U.S. Border Patrol agents at the scene, said Brandon Tucker, deputy director of CBP. Of aerial operations for the San Diego sector.
His identity and nationality were not immediately released.
In Friday’s news release, CBP and US Coast Guard officials warned of the danger of human trafficking at sea between illegal border crossings seen over two decades.
N. of CBP’s director of air and sea operations at the agency’s San Diego Air & Marine Branch. Ongoing.
“Individuals aboard these small ships, trying to enter the US illegally, are often not told about the dangers they will face on their voyage and are not prepared. They are not enough food, water, security. Without the gear, or protection against the elements, a small boat would end up out of the sea. “
Capt. Timothy Bareilly, commander of the Coast Guard’s San Diego sector, said the contradictions of human trafficking at sea “are as much a defense as law enforcement actions.”
“There is a serious risk of capaciting, hypothermia and drowning,” he said.
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