The U.S. Coast Guard in California has identified six individuals as suspects in connection with a series of deadly human smuggling operations that occurred near the state's southwestern border between December 23rd and 29th. These incidents involved over 60 people, and tragically, resulted in multiple fatalities, according to a statement released by the Coast Guard on their official X (formerly Twitter) account. The statement highlighted the inherent dangers of such ventures, emphasizing the perilous combination of unseaworthy vessels, unqualified captains, and frigid ocean waters. This recent announcement echoes a similar report from December 11th, where 14 individuals were suspected of involvement in human smuggling activities impacting 73 people over a week-long period.
The Coast Guard emphasized the life-threatening risks associated with these smuggling attempts, particularly the danger of hypothermia in water temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, which can set in within just 30 minutes.
