Mexican lancha crews seized for illegal fishing in US waters

US Coast Guard law enforcement crews detected and interdicted three Mexican lancha boat crews that were illegally fishing in federal waters off southern Texas on the afternoon (local time) of Sunday, October 20.

Air Station Corpus Christi aircrews in coordination with crews from Station South Padre Island and the US Coast Guard Cutter Alligator located and stopped three lanchas with a total of 13 Mexican fishermen who were engaged in illegal fishing. The lancha boats, with fishing gear onboard, along with nearly 225 kilograms of illegal catch were seized.

The Mexican fishermen were detained and transferred to border enforcement agents for processing.

Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi has interdicted five lanchas north of the US-Mexico Maritime Border since October 1, 2019.