An American coastal guard patrol prohibited an alleged smuggling ship 12 miles west of Point Loma on Sunday, and a dozen people were placed in police custody, officials said.
Around 10:20 am, a customs and border protection plane and a Jayhawk helicopter of the Coast Guard spotted the 25 -foot boat, according to a press release.
The Petrel cutter was diverted and shortly before 11:50 a.m., he launched a team on a small boat to get on the ship.
The 12 people – 11 men and a woman – claimed Mexican nationality. They were to be transferred to the Imperial Beach Border Patrol station, officials said.
California Daily Newspapers
