Coast Guard Stops Suspected Maritime Smugglers In High-Speed Pursuit

SAN DIEGO, CA — Two suspected smugglers aboard a high-speed personal watercraft fled when a U.S. Coast Guard vessel approached them in the ocean south of San Diego, prompting a maritime pursuit that ended with both suspects in custody and one injured, officials announced Thursday.

Personnel aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Sea Otter spotted the personal watercraft crossing into U.S. waters at about 5:44 a.m. Wednesday and sent a boat crew to intercept it, according to the Coast Guard.

"The two individuals attempted to evade the Coast Guard boat crew, conducting erratic and dangerous maneuvers," the Coast Guard said.

During the pursuit, the Coast Guard personnel fired two rounds of LA-51, a non-lethal warning device, leaving one of them with an arm injury, officials said. The boat crew eventually caught up with the personal watercraft, took the suspects into custody and provided first aid to the injured individual.

Paramedics took the injured suspect to UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest. Department of Homeland Security partners took custody of both suspects for further investigation.