DHS Interdicts 6 Suspected Smuggling Vessels, Captures 82 Migrants off California Coast

Cartels are now using maritime waters to smuggle people into the United States due to improved security at the southern border, the department said.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem participates in a tour at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Charleston, in Charleston, S.C., on Nov. 7, 2025. Alex Brandon, Pool/AP photo

Six suspected human smuggling boats were taken into custody by authorities during the weekend, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a Feb. 27 post on X.

“Since our southern border is more secure than ever before, cartels are being forced to try to smuggle through our nation’s maritime waters. This past weekend, DHS law enforcement interdicted six suspected maritime smuggling vessels and apprehended 82 migrants off the coast of California,” the department said.