Photo: CBP
Two smuggling attempts via sea were intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers off the coast of San Diego.
The first attempt on Tuesday night resulted in the seizure of a boat carrying nearly half a ton of marijuana in Mission Bay. The second attempt off Leucadia resulted in the detention of 17 illegal immigrants.
Officers aboard a CBP Midnight Express interceptor vessel on patrol spotted a boat tied up to a dock in Mission Bay. The 25-foot Formula powerboat appeared abandoned, the CBP said.
A search of the vessel turned up packages of marijuana inside the cabin and hidden beneath the deck. The marijuana weighed 997 pounds and is worth an estimated half a million dollars, the CBP said.
Vessel and narcotics were seized.
Around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, offices aboard a CBP vessel spotted a 36-foot Mexican fishing boat about two miles off the coast of Leucadia.
The panga attempted to outrun the CBP vessel, but was stopped after a brief chase. Some 17 people were taken to shore.
Authorities said the 16-year-old boy, 12 men and four women are all Mexican citizens and illegal immigrants. The incident is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
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