As National Guard troops complete their deployment to the U.S. - Mexico border this week, federal border officers continue their vigilance there and elsewhere.
That includes the off the coast of San Diego, where a U.S. Customs and Border Protection marine unit halted an attempt at human smuggling on Sunday.
A CBP maritime crew on patrol about three miles off the coast of Point Loma spotted what was described as a "vessel of interest" around 5 p.m.
The officers found an 18-foot Chris Craft Cavalier with seven individuals on board, five women and two men.
They ranged in age from 22 to 56-years old and none had identification, the CBP said.
The crew and detainees were met at the CBP dock in San Diego Harbor by border agents with a Coastal Border Enforcement Team who sought to determine where they were from.
The agents concluded they were Mexican citizens attempting to enter the U.S. illegally. All were taken to a Border Patrol station for processing for eventual deportation.
CBP seized the vessel and is investigating the smuggling incident to learn who else might be responsible.
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