SAN DIEGO (AP) — A man believed to be the captain of a migrant boat that tragically capsized off the coast of San Diego has been charged by federal officials amid ongoing investigations into the increasing dangers of maritime smuggling.
The charged individual, a Mexican national, faces severe consequences including two counts of illegally bringing individuals into the country, which could escalate to life imprisonment or even the death penalty if convicted.
On Friday night, U.S. Border Patrol agents were alerted about a small boat attempting to cross from Mexico into U.S. waters. The vessel was found capsized near Imperial Beach, with some passengers washing ashore.
The rescue efforts yielded six survivors, but four others were confirmed dead, raising urgent concern about the risks posed by smugglers who exploit desperate migrants seeking a better life.
According to the affidavit, passengers reported engine failure issues, pleading with the captain to turn back to Mexico, but he refused. This led to a disaster where several individuals were trapped under the boat when it overturned.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon remarked on the gravity of the situation, stating, ‘Maritime smuggling is extremely dangerous, and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law every individual responsible for these preventable tragedies.’
The circumstances surrounding this incident have drawn further attention to the ongoing issue of migrants choosing perilous sea routes to evade stringent border security measures.
