A suspected smuggling operation that resulted in at least three deaths off the San Diego coast Sunday came after the Border Patrol, Coast Guard and other agencies warned that an alarming increase in maritime smuggling could have deadly consequences.
The agencies announced Friday that they were dedicating "extra resources" to coastal land, sea and air – helicopters and planes – patrols through Monday. Those resources were tapped Sunday when an overloaded cabin cruiser broke apart in rough seas, prompting a harrowing rescue operation near the Cabrillo National Monument.
Rescuers found a large debris field of splintered wood and personal effects. Seven people were plucked from the turbulent waters; three did not survive. One person was rescued from a cliff and 22 made it to shore on their own. Twenty-seven people were taken to hospitals with hypothermia or other injuries.