23 illegal immigrants found on boat (San Diego Union-Tribune)

23 illegal immigrants found on boat

Posted by Karen Kucher | 08:07 AM

Twenty-three illegal immigrants were found on a fishing boat intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents early today off the coast of Torrey Pines, officials said.

The marine agents spotted the panga about 4 miles off the coast around 4 a.m., said Lauren Mack, a spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. No information about the gender, age or nationality of the immigrants was immediately released.

Investigators are still interviewing the detainees, Mack said.

"We are attempting to locate or identify a smuggler or smugglers. If we do identify one, we will make an arrest," Mack said.