Shots Fired! Migrant Sea Smuggling to US Takes Dangerous Turn
There are also security concerns about the nationalities of those apprehended at sea.
US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Marine Interdiction Agents - along with US Coast Guard (USCG) crews, are continuing to encounter human smugglers who are determined to reach US shores in a series of concerning incidents at sea.
On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, CBP Agents intercepted a small boat loaded with migrants off the Southern California coast whose captain refused orders to stop his vessel. As a last resort, the Federal Agents opened fire on the boat to disable its outboard motor:
.Four Brazilians, two Mexicans, two Nepalese, and one Chinese man were discovered aboard the boat and taken into custody.
Five days earlier, off the coast of Puerto Rico, the US Coast Guard responded to assist two Puerto Rico Police Joint Force Rapid Action (FURA) Marine Units who had intercepted a human smuggler piloting a 20-foot, "panga"-style vessel, three nautical miles off Aguadilla.
Once on scene, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos discovered a man and a woman aboard the vessel who claimed Russian citizenship along with three men from the Dominican Republic. One of the migrants aboard the vessel was found to have a US Criminal Record and now faces federal prosecution for attempted illegal re-entry into the United States.
The two Russians were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations Special (HSI) Agents in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
(The discovery of Russian & Chinese citizens aboard these smuggling vessels has raised national security concerns)
The smuggling of migrants by sea has been happening with increasing frequency off both US coasts. I have covered this in several prior articles - (see links below) if you would like to learn more:
Should more be done to deter illegal smuggling activities in U.S. waters?
Share your opinion in the comments on this article!
Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
Always grateful for your input Jack. Enjoy your weekend.
Shut them down.