Man facing migrant smuggling charges after chase
Share this @internewscast.com


() Illegal border crossings have now shifted from the southern border to the beaches of California.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says migrants are now trying to sneak into the U.S. by boat via the Pacific Ocean. Still at the center of smuggling are cartels, who are making money off the border crossings and telling people that coming by boat is the “safer” option despite many dying in dangerous conditions.

Last week, a panga boat carrying a family of four coming in from India capsized off the coast of Del Mar, California. The mother is the only one who is coherent after the capsizing. The father is in a coma and not expected to survive, their son drowned, and their daughter has not been recovered. The family was among 16 others on the boat.

The average amount Border Patrol agents say they’ve seen people pay to come across the border is around $18,000 per person. Some are paying up to $25,000 to take the route as the southern border is essentially locked down. Cartels have told people it’s the best way to come in as the Trump administration cracks down on illegal immigration.

“We know that these human smugglers lie to people, they will guarantee them entry, they’re charging them extreme amounts of money to come into the United States illegally this way,” Border Patrol agent Justin Castrojon told .

Castrojon also said once they’ve interviewed migrants that have been arrested after coming by boat, they explain that they haven’t paid cartels yet for smuggling them into the country, signaling that it could lead to dangerous situations.

Despite the dangers, smugglers are finding success along California’s coast. In just six months, 26 smuggling vessels have landed in Los Angeles County and nearby areas. There have been 15 of them that have landed in San Clemente, about 60 miles north of the southern border.

San Clemente Mayor Steve Knoblock said he wants to put a stop to it and is now working with Border Patrol to install cameras along the city’s shoreline. The city’s council pushed back against the idea, but Knoblock said he is hopeful that with federal partnerships and funding, the plan can move forward.

“People want protection. They want to make sure that illegal people that are coming here with nefarious purposes are not allowed to come here. It’s that simple,” Knoblock said. “It’s not exotic, it’s not rocket science, it’s simple crime and safety, law and order, and people who shouldn’t be here, shouldn’t be here. And unfortunately, the people that come are connected generally with cartels. They’re making big money on human trafficking, on drugs and other types of crime. And it’s problematic.”

Law enforcement has been telling people who live in San Clemente that if they see something, they should report it to Border Patrol, whether it be discarded clothing or footprints in places that normally are not there.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Ocala Man, 70, Dies After Pickup Truck Runs Red Light and Hits His Car, According to FHP

MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A man, aged 70, lost his life on…

Illinois Commits to Ongoing 988 Lifeline Support for LGBTQIA+ Youth

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has announced…

Court Proceedings Start for Fort Bliss Soldier Accused of Murdering Estranged Wife and Concealing Her Body in Storage Closet

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — After more than 5 years, Linwood James…

There’s increasing talk that St. Pete could one day lose its baseball and soccer teams.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) – Tropicana Field is undergoing repairs for the…

Corn Refiners Claim Coca-Cola’s Sweetener Change Puts US Jobs at Risk

() President Donald Trump’s claim that Coca-Cola is switching to cane sugar…

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Explore Merger to Form a Nationwide Railroad, AP Source Reports

OMAHA, Neb. – Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are currently negotiating a…

Amazon Offer: Expedited Delivery of Hawaii-Grown Pineapples to Mainland

HONOLULU (KHON2) – A sweet new deal is taking flight in Hawaii.…

Puerto Rico Prohibits Gender-Affirming Treatment for Trans Individuals Under 21

(The Hill) – Transgender Puerto Ricans under the age of 21 will…

Breaking Records and Raising Awareness: Father and Son Sail from San Francisco to Hawaii

HONOLULU (KHON2) — A father and son duo are solo rowing more…

Two CBP Officers Admit to ID Fraud and Cheating on Fitness Test

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) Two federal law enforcement officers who cheated on a…

New Information Released About Deadly California Cybertruck Crash and Fire

Graphic Warning: This story contains graphic images or video that may be…

Colorado Parents Concerned Over Potential Dismissal of Man’s Kidnapping Charges

AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) Concerned parents are speaking out after learning the District…