26 Arrested In Boat Smuggling Attempts

U.S. authorities said they intercepted two boats off San Diego's coast with a total of 24 illegal immigrants aboard. Coast Guard officials saw a 26-foot boat with 11 men and three women aboard shortly after 3 a.m. Tuesday. Authorities said all were illegal immigrants from Mexico. The boat was spotted about two miles off the coast of Imperial Beach. Around 6 a.m. Wednesday, agents arrested eight men and five women -- illegal immigrants from Mexico -- who were hiding in the cabin of a 24-foot boat approaching San Diego's Mission Bay. Two U.S. citizens who were allegedly operating the boat were also arrested. It was not immediately clear how many were returned to Mexico.