Crime & Safety

Boat Carrying Illegal Immigrants Overturns off Crystal Cove

Maritime smuggling is becoming more common, authorities say.

No one was seriously injured Tuesday morning when a panga boat carrying 15 illegal immigrants flipped in the surf off of Crystal Cove State Park, according to authorities.

Fourteen people, all Mexicans, were taken into custody after the boat overturned about 5 a.m., Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Virginia Kice said. One passenger got away, she said.

"Fortunately, no one was killed or seriously hurt," she said.

Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The northbound boat was being tracked by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, Kice said.

"We've seen a significant surge in maritime smuggling in the last year or so,'' Kice said.

Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

— City News Service

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