LA JOLLA, Calif. — San Diego Sector U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested four illegal immigrants after they landed near the Scripps Pier aboard a panga-style smuggling vessel from Mexico, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced.
The Joint Harbor Operations Center detected the vessel traveling north from Mexico on Monday. Agents assigned to coastal enforcement operations responded and observed four individuals disembark near the pier before fleeing on foot. Officers established containment and apprehended all four, identifying them as one Guatemalan national and three Mexican nationals.
“Maritime smuggling organizations continue to place individuals in dangerous situations while attempting to circumvent our nation’s border security measures,” said San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Justin De La Torre. “Our agents remain vigilant along the coastline, and this incident highlights the importance of rapid response and coordination to address maritime smuggling attempts.”
The four were transported to the Imperial Beach Border Patrol Station for processing, and agents seized the boat. The investigation is ongoing.
The La Jolla landing illustrates the persistent use of California’s coastline as a corridor for illegal entry. Panga-style vessels — open-hulled fishing boats common in Mexico — are frequently used by maritime smuggling organizations to bypass land-based border infrastructure. U.S. Border Patrol, in coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, conducts continuous coastal surveillance to detect and disrupt such operations.
Anyone with information on suspicious maritime activity along the California coast can contact the San Diego Sector at 619-498-9900.