19 Arrested Trying to Enter Coronado Illegally Via Panga Under New Moon

Nineteen undocumented immigrants in a panga that came ashore on Coronado under a new moon were in federal custody Saturday, authorities said.

 A roughly 22-foot boat with a single outboard engine came ashore around midnight just north of Silver Strand Beach, said U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Matthew Cramer.

When the boat landed, 19 people got out and started running, he said.

Two people remained with the boat, he said, and one got back in, pushed off and motored into Mexican waters.

U.S. Border Patrol agents assisted by Coronado police arrested the 19 people, he said.   

Friday night was particularly dark because of the new moon.  

—City News Service