CBP U.S. Border Patrol, Mexican Government Collaborate to Prevent Maritime Smuggling

Imperial Beach, Calif. - U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a Mexican national after he was smuggled into the country on a personal watercraft on Saturday, Feb. 12.

At approximately 4:10 p.m., Border Patrol agents spotted a PWC with two occupants cross the international maritime boundary into the U.S. from Mexican waters. Later, agents observed one individual disembark from the PWC near the south end of

Seacoast Drive

in Imperial Beach.

Agents responded to the area and encountered a 25-year-old male Mexican national. Agents questioned the individual who admitted to illegally entering the U.S. The individual was transported to a local Border Patrol station for processing and further investigation. The PWC and driver were able to return to Mexico.

Border Patrol International Liaison agents relayed information to the Mexican Government regarding the maritime smuggling event. Mexican officials coordinated with the Tijuana Police Department and later observed a PWC traveling toward Rosarito, Mexico.

Mexican authorities later contacted and apprehended the PWC operator as he came ashore in Rosartio. Mexican authorities forwarded intelligence from the detained individual and PWC to Border Patrol agents. Border Patrol agents used the intelligence gathered by Mexican authorities to positively identify the operator of the PWC.

The PWC was seized by Mexican authorities.

The U.S. Border Patrol is a member agency of the Maritime Unified Command. The MUC is comprised of the U.S. Coast Guard, CBP's Office of Air & Marine and U.S. Border Patrol, ICE, as well as state and local law enforcement partners operating in the San Diego and Orange County maritime domain. The MUC utilizes the fusion of intelligence, planning and operations to target the threat of transnational crime along the coastal border.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.