Federal authorities intercept boat packed with 23 suspected illegal immigrants off Oceanside

Feds intercept suspected smuggling boat

OCEANSIDE, Calif. — Federal authorities say a 25-foot boat packed with suspected illegal immigrants has been intercepted off the coast of Southern California.

The Coast Guard says 23 people were taken into custody after the wooden boat was spotted about 1:40 a.m. Friday, about six and a-half miles off Oceanside.

Coast Guard spokeswoman Jetta Disco says the 17 males and six females on board were all wearing life jackets and appeared to be in good health.

One man was arrested by Customs and Border Protection officers. The other 22 were taken to Shelter Island and handed over to the Department of Homeland Security’s Maritime Task Force for questioning.

Information from: The San Diego Union-Tribune, www.signonsandiego.com