Exclusive | Third human smuggling boat in a month intercepted in posh Newport Harbor
Anoter suspected human trafficking boat was intercepted and brought into Newport Harbor Saturday, authorities said, marking the third time in less than a month a vessel with alleged illegal migrants has appeared in the millionaires’ town.Federal officials said the vessel contained 11 men, two women and a young boy, all claiming to be nationals of Mexico.Video provided to The California Post shows at least two suspects being detained by agents on a dock in posh Newport Harbor.
All 14 people aboard were turned over to US Border Patrol.The boat that carried them was seized by authorities. Newport City Council member Erik Weigand is horrified another suspected human trafficking vessel appeared in the busy local waters after similar incidents occurred on Sept.
5 and 19. “It’s alarming,” said Weigand.
“We know that it’s due to the borders being much more secure than they were in the previous administration, so these guys are finding new ways to get into the country.”The drama unfolded Saturday afternoon around 1:30 p.m., federal officials said, when a US Customs and Boarder Protection Interceptor Vessel captured a fishing-type vessel suspected of human trafficking in ocean waters outside Newport and brought it to dock.The CBP boat raced into the harbor along with the alleged smugglers, drawing the attention of boaters and beach goers gathered in the area for the annual Pacific Airshow, an event featuring US Air Force planes that draws massive crowds to Newport. Officers at the dock took all those aboard the smuggling boat into custody.
One passenger suffering from dehydration and seasickness was evaluated and cleared by emergency medical workers.Footage provided to The Post shows the two men sitting on the dock in handcuffs.A spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security in a statement said CBP is committed to upholding the rule of law. “Maritime migration is dangerous and can too often result in death,” said the statement.
” “Illegal...