Coast Guard intercepts two suspected smuggling attempts off Mission Bay
Dante Ulanday - News Moderator 
U.S. Coast Guard crews stopped two suspected maritime smuggling attempts over the weekend near Mission Bay, taking more than a dozen people into custody.
Watchstanders received a report of a suspicious vessel departing Mission Bay about 11:15 a.m. Saturday and directed a boarding team to intercept the 36-foot sailboat, officials said.
Six people were aboard, including four migrants — three adults and an unaccompanied minor who said they were Mexican nationals — along with two U.S. citizens who claimed to own the boat. All six were turned over to the Department of Homeland Security and the vessel was seized.
On Sunday, Coast Guard personnel pursued a 25-foot cabin cruiser spotted about seven miles west of Mission Bay around 5 p.m. The craft fled south at high speed before ramming the federal vessel off Point Loma, causing minor damage.
During the chase, crews fired warning shots, launched pepper-spray rounds and ultimately disabled the boat by shooting its engine.
Seven men aboard, who also said they were Mexican nationals, were arrested and transferred to DHS custody.
No injuries were reported in either incident, according to the Coast Guard.
City News Service contributed to this article.
