U.S. Coast Guard intercepts 16 migrants off San Diego coast

The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a panga-style vessel carrying 16 suspected migrants approximately 21 miles west of San Diego. The operation began late Sunday night after an HC-130 Hercules aircraft from the Coast Guard Air Station at Barbers Point detected the suspicious vessel in the Pacific Ocean.

Following the aerial sighting, the Coast Guard cutter Terrell Horne was deployed to the area. Boarding personnel intercepted the boat in the early hours of Monday morning. The 16 individuals were subsequently transported to Ballast Point in San Diego, where they were placed into the custody of U.S. Border Patrol for processing.

This interception is part of ongoing maritime surveillance operations conducted by federal authorities off the coast of Southern California to detect vessels used for irregular migration and human trafficking.