In a collaborative effort, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Coast Guard successfully intercepted 60 smugglers off the California coast throughout April. This operation, which took place over several days, highlights the ongoing vigilance and coordination between the two agencies.
During the period from April 17 to 21, CBP’s Air and Marine Operations unit carried out three separate maritime interdictions along the southern California coast, as announced by CBP on Friday. These operations underscore the persistent challenge of maritime smuggling in the region.
The initial interdiction occurred on April 17 when CBP’s San Diego Marine Unit intercepted a 24-foot vessel near San Clemente Island. Onboard were 13 individuals, comprising seven men, five women, and one juvenile female. The intercepted boat was subsequently escorted to Ballast Point Naval Base for processing, marking the beginning of a series of successful operations.
The subsequent day saw another significant interdiction, with CBP capturing a suspected smuggling vessel 80 nautical miles southwest of San Diego. The operation was bolstered by the Coast Guard’s Cutter Florence Finch, a Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter known for its high-speed capabilities. Together, the agencies’ Long Beach Marine Unit intercepted the vessel near San Nicolas Island, detaining 29 Mexican nationals. These individuals, along with the vessel, were transported to Newport Harbor and handed over to the U.S. Border Patrol, further emphasizing the collaborative efforts in safeguarding U.S. borders.
The Cutter Florence Finch, commissioned in 2024, has proven instrumental in these operations. Its design for swift patrols plays a crucial role in the Coast Guard’s mission to secure maritime borders effectively.
United States Coast Guard’s Florence Finch cutter boat. Commissioned in 2024, the Florence Finch is a Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter designed for high-speed patrols. (U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area)
The third and final operation occurred on April 21. The Coast Guard’s Terrel Horne interdicted a 25-foot cuddy cabin boat containing 18 Mexican nationals on board. The Coast Guard also transported them for processing by U.S. Border Patrol.
A U.S. Customs and Border Patrol photo shows alleged attempted smugglers surrendering on April 24, 2026. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations)
Many of the 60 individuals have criminal histories for a wide array of offenses including failure to yield, driving under the influence, felony hit-and-run, making false police reports, drug possession, active warrants for resisting arrest, trespassing, burglary, possession of burglary tools, receiving stolen property, drug trafficking, aggravated assault with a weapon and domestic violence, according to CBP.
“These interdictions show the great lengths dangerous criminals will go to avoid apprehension, including taking to the open ocean in unsafe, overcrowded vessels,” Air and Marine Operations Southwest Region Executive Director Hunter Robinson said in a statement. “Their desperation puts lives at risk. Our crews are dedicated to stopping these dangerous individuals far from shore to keep our communities safe.”
Border crossings and apprehensions are down significantly during President Donald Trump’s administration compared to former President Joe Biden’s. Border encounters during the first six months of the fiscal year are the lowest in recorded history, the Department of Homeland Security said in an April statement.
Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue agents from the Tucson Sector and Air and Marine Operations demonstrated a rescue of a migrant lost in the Brown Canyon desert near Sasabe, Ariz. (Herika Martinez/AFP)
Fox News Digital contacted the U.S. Coast Guard and CBP for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
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