Coast Guard interdicts 37 migrants off coast of Point Loma

SAN DIEGO — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Sea Otter (WPB 87362) interdicted 37 migrants from a 33-foot vessel, approximately seven nautical miles off Point Loma, Saturday.

While on patrol, crewmembers aboard the Sea Otter spotted a vessel operating without navigation lights. The Sea Otter’s boarding team, along with members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection boarded the vessel and discovered the 37 migrants aboard.

Of the 37 migrants taken into custody, 30 were determined to be of Mexican nationality, two were identified as Salvadoran nationality, three of Guatemalan nationality, one of Colombian nationality, and one U.S. citizen, who was reported to be the operator of the vessel. The 37 individuals were taken to Ballast Point and transferred to CBP.