U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations agents interdicted a panga-style vessel carrying 21 people near San Clemente Island on July 29, according to an Aug. 4 announcement.
The Long Beach Marine Unit launched a vessel at 2 p.m. after receiving a report of a panga near the back side of San Clemente Island. The San Diego Air and Marine Branch deployed an aircraft that located the vessel and directed the marine unit to its location. Agents initiated an interdiction by deploying two warning shots to stop the boat, then took control of the vessel and detained all 21 people on board, including one female and one juvenile.
During the operation, an adult male began showing symptoms of acute cardiac arrest. Marine agents and U.S. Coast Guard personnel performed CPR before coordinating a medical evacuation via U.S. Coast Guard helicopter to UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he was pronounced deceased by medical staff. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations is conducting an investigation into the incident.
“Unscrupulous smugglers prioritize profit over human life, forcing individuals onto unseaworthy vessels in treacherous waters,” said Levi Ahrens, Assistant Director for the San Diego Air and Marine Branch. “These criminal networks frequently intermingle dangerous subjects with those attempting to enter the country illegally, placing both the subjects and our agents in grave danger.” Record checks revealed that twelve subjects had no criminal history or only prior administrative immigration violations; five had convictions for offenses such as possession of controlled substances, driving under the influence, or fraud; two had histories involving violent crimes including assault, domestic violence, resisting arrest, murder, or sexual abuse of a minor.
The remaining twenty individuals were transported by agents to the U.S. Coast Guard base on Terminal Island for processing by U.S. Border Patrol.