SAN DIEGO, April 8 (UPI) -- Smugglers are taking to the sea to escape detection as authorities increase security along the U.S.-Mexico border, officials said.
U.S. Border Patrol agents foiled at least five smuggling attempts in the first five days of April and the multi-agency Maritime Unified Command seized three vessels off California Monday, the Los Angeles Times reported.
One of the boats, with 740 pounds of marijuana on board, was abandoned near Dana Point. Authorities also seized a 16-foot pleasure boat carrying four illegal immigrants near San Diego's Shelter Island and another boat was intercepted off Del Mar, with 12 illegal immigrants on board.
Officials said smugglers have gone to the sea to avoid land patrols
The Maritime Unified Command has been expanded to include California's Orange County, but the recent surge in arrests could be an indication enforcement efforts aren't having much of an effect, the report said.
Smugglers charge immigrants up to $6,000 to take them from remote launching spots in Mexico to beaches in southern California. The boats, some carrying up to 20 people, have occasionally broken down in high seas. At least two immigrants have drowned.
