Border Patrol Asks Del Mar Residents for Help Reporting Panga Boats

The U.S. Border Patrol wants residents of Del Mar to be aware of recent maritime smuggling events and know how to report suspicious activity.

Border Patrol Agents, who attended Del Mar City Council on Monday night, reported two known incidents in Del Mar last month: One on Dec. 5 involving a duffel bag and another on Dec. 10. Both incidents took place near Stratford Court between 4th and 8th streets.

On Dec. 10, San Diego Police conducted a vehicle stop and discovered everyone in the van was sandy and wet. U.S. Border Patrol was dispatched to conduct an immigration evaluation and the Coastal Border Enforcement Team found an abandoned panga boat in Del Mar shortly after the stop.

“We ask you not to get involved if you see one of these events taking place,” said a supervisory agent from the U.S. Border Patrol Imperial Beach Station. “Just be a good witness and get all the information you can, because you are dealing with cartel members.”

If you see these suspicious activities call the Joint Harbor Operations Center tip line at 1-800-854-9834 or simply call 911. Provide the tip center with as much description as possible, such as the CF number of the boat, and description of the boat, individuals and vehicles.

The U.S. Border Patrol asked local resident to be cognizant and suspicious of:

• Unlit, unregistered, overloaded, overcrowded or ill-equipped boats.
• Boats operating at odd hours or in odd locations.
• Suspicious coastal activity such as people signaling to boats or people watching maritime activity when no special events are present.
• Suspicious vehicles in coastal neighborhoods at odd hours.
• Abandoned boats, life vests, and gas cans.
• Boat driver dropping off a group of people close to shore and than heading back south to Mexico.
• Pocket trash with phone numbers, coordinates, etc. written on it.