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26 Arrested in San Diego Boat Smuggling Attempts

U.S. authorities say they intercepted two boats off San Diego's coast with a total of 24 illegal immigrants aboard.

U.S. authorities say 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 say all were illegal immigrants from Mexico.

The boat was spotted about two miles off the coast of Imperial Beach.

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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.