On January 5, the United States Coast Guard successfully apprehended two alleged human smugglers following a dramatic collision with a patrol boat as they attempted to flee.
This event occurred off San Diego’s coast, where the suspects were reportedly trying to transport individuals illegally from Mexico into the U.S.
Investigation and Suspicion
The situation began unfolding around 4 p.m. when vigilant Border Patrol agents noticed a suspicious boat moving awkwardly through Mission Bay.
The vessel stood out due to its unusually high number of fishing poles compared to the scant number of passengers onboard—a tactic often employed by smugglers to pose as legitimate fishermen.
Recognizing the potential for illicit activity, the agents made the decision to investigate further.
Confrontation and Apprehension
As the suspicious craft approached a launch area, one of the agents positioned himself discreetly near a restroom to monitor the situation.
When the boat docked, several people got off, but when the agent instructed them to sit down, two individuals swiftly returned to the boat and sped away.
One of the remaining passengers revealed that the four individuals who had disembarked were Mexican nationals seeking to enter the United States unlawfully.
This information led to their immediate arrest.
Not long after, the Coast Guard received alerts about the fleeing vessel and moved in to intercept.
However, the suspects reacted violently, ramming their boat into the Coast Guard patrol vessel while hurling metal objects at the crew.
In response, the Coast Guard personnel had to take defensive action, deploying non-lethal projectiles to disable the engine and utilizing pepper balls to disperse the attackers.
Despite these countermeasures, the suspects remained defiant, which compelled the Coast Guard to board their vessel.
After a brief struggle, the Coast Guard team resorted to using pepper spray to subdue the smugglers and protect their own safety.
Aftermath and Insights
Once apprehended, the suspects were taken to Ballast Point at Naval Base Point Loma around 5 p.m. During the initial questioning, two of the smuggled individuals revealed shocking payment arrangements, discussing amounts between $7,000 and $16,000 for their illegal smuggling services.
Another individual mentioned a planned payment of about 400,000 Mexican pesos, roughly translating to $19,500.
Witnesses identified Audelo-Rodriguez as the captain of the smuggling operation, with Brado-Cota serving as co-captain.
According to ProPublica, from the summer of 2021 to winter 2023, the Coast Guard has detained over 27,000 people linked to similar illegal transport efforts, reflecting a persistent battle against human smuggling on U.S. waters.
Source: Militarytimes