Two complaints were filed in federal court on May 6, charging five individuals with involvement in a human smuggling operation that resulted in the deaths of at least three migrants, including a 14-year-old Indian boy. His 10-year-old sister remains missing and is presumed dead. Their father is currently in a coma, while their mother is also hospitalized. The investigation involves U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)–Marine Task Force, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, United States Coast Guard, San Diego Lifeguard Service, and San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office.
"Human smuggling, regardless of the route, is not only illegal but extremely dangerous," said ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Diego Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson. "Smugglers often treat people as disposable commodities, leading to tragic and sometimes deadly consequences, as we saw in this case."
The incident occurred on May 5 when witnesses reported an overturned panga boat at Del Mar beach in California. Bystanders and lifeguards assisted with rescue efforts while law enforcement officials recovered three bodies from the scene. Four other migrants were rescued and hospitalized.
Mexican nationals Julio Cesar Zuniga Luna and Jesus Juan Rodriguez Leyva were apprehended at the time of the incident and charged with bringing in aliens resulting in death and for financial gain.
Further investigations led to identifying vehicles associated with the maritime smuggling incident earlier that day near Chula Vista, California. While one driver evaded arrest initially, authorities arrested drivers of two other vehicles involved in transporting illegal aliens. Eight out of nine missing migrants from the boat were located; however, P.P.B.’s sister remains unaccounted for.
Melissa Jenelle Cota, Gustavo Lara, and Sergio Rojas-Fregosa—also Mexican nationals—were charged with transportation of illegal aliens. Rojas-Fregosa had previously been deported on December 19, 2023.
"The drowning deaths of these children are a heartbreaking reminder of how little human traffickers care about the costs of their deadly business," stated U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.
The defendants remain innocent unless proven guilty according to charges or allegations made within an indictment or complaint.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Van Demark and Edward Chang are prosecuting this case.
