U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents arrested 23 illegal immigrants on Saturday after intercepting a panga-style vessel near San Clemente Island, west of San Diego. The boat was stopped around 1 p.m. by CBP air and marine crews who found the migrants onboard.
The individuals, consisting of men and women, were handed over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in San Diego for processing. Authorities identified the vessel as part of an ongoing pattern of smuggling operations using panga boats in Southern California waters.
Increase in Panga Smuggling Vessels
The interception echoes a reported rise in panga boat crossings in the region. In February 2025, the mayor of San Clemente highlighted more frequent arrivals of these small fishing vessels delivering migrants to local beaches. Officials warned that many migrants then disappear inland without detection.
ICE has previously issued warnings about pangas being used for smuggling both migrants and illegal drugs along the Southern California coast. In 2021, agents discovered around 90 migrants at various coastal locations including Los Angeles County and Orange County beaches.
Ongoing Border Security Challenges
CBP and ICE continue to monitor the area for smuggling activity. The use of pangas presents a specific challenge due to their size and ability to evade early detection while approaching remote shorelines. This latest arrest adds to ongoing enforcement efforts to disrupt human smuggling routes in the region.
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