CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Coast Guard law enforcement crews have detected and interdicted a lancha boat crew illegally fishing in federal waters.
The lancha boat, with fishing gear onboard, was seized on Aug. 20. The Mexican fishermen were detained and transferred to border enforcement agents for processing.
The operator, a Mexican national, was charged with Title 18 USC 2237, Failure to Heave To or Obstruction of Boarding, which carries a charge of fines and imprisonment of up to 15 years.
Earlier, the perpetrator was suspected in a May 11 case where a lancha conducted evasive maneuvering and ultimately struck a Coast Guard boat twice before escaping into Mexico waters.
"The Coast Guard is committed to protecting marine resources within U.S. waterways,” said Capt. Edward Gaynor, commanding officer of Coast Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi. “Mariners are reminded to follow instructions given by law enforcement officials while on the water.”
If you witness suspicious activity or illegal fishing in state waters (out to 9 miles offshore), please contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s “Operation Game Thief” at 1-800-792-GAME (4263).
And for all suspicious activity or illegal fishing occurring in federal waters of out to 200 miles offshore, please contact the U.S. Coast Guard at 361-939-0450.
For more information contact the Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi duty public affairs officer at 361-438-0176.
