CBP agents

A boat carrying nine undocumented immigrants near the San Diego coast was arrested after agents fired bullets from the engine, deactivating the ship, said federal officials.

The incident was reported after an American customs plane and border protection spotted a panga crossing the maritime line line around 9:35 p.m. on Tuesday, CBP spokesperson Michael Scappechio said.

The plane missed other members of air and sea operations by radio, a CBP component, which blurred a boat to intercept the Panga, said Scappechio.

Just after midnight, the intercepting boat found the Panga, said officials. Panga’s crew refused to follow the agents’ orders to turn off their engine, according to CBP.

“After having exhausted all the avenues to arrest the ship, (the agents) moved to position and deployed deactivation towers to successfully stop the Panga,” said Scappechio.

Four Brazilians, two Mexicans, two Nepalese and a Chinese national were discovered on the Panga and placed in police custody.