SAN DIEGO - Four suspected human smuggling boats caught off our coast in just three days. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents say they're seeing an increase in the number of boats transporting illegal immigrants and drugs.
"Marine smuggling has been on the increase since 2007. 2008 was a hugh spike," says a Special Agent with ICE.
According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson 33 boats were either intercepted or found abandoned in our area during 2008 that were used to smuggle in either people or drugs. This year alone there have already been half a dozen.
"We're doing a much better job of sharing intelligence of working synergistically," says the spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection Spokesperson Vince Bond.
Around four on Monday morning, Border Protection agents intercepted a Mexican fishing boat about four miles off the coast from the Torrey Pines Golf Course. 23 undocumented Mexican nationals were found on board.
Hours later another boat was found run aground on Torry Pines State Beach. That boat had 21 life preservers left behind.
Over the weekend two other vessels were taken into custody by the Coast Guard, suspected of smuggling illegal immigrants into San Diego. Eight people were taken into custody.
Agents say they don't believe the lagging economy is to blame for the upturn in the number of smugglers taking to the seas.
"I really do think this is the result of clamping down on the land border," says an ICE Special Agent.
They say they're seeing a dramatic rise in the amount of drugs being smuggled in by sea as well.
