CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard seized a Mexican fishing boat with four Mexican nationals in the waters off South Texas, Wednesday.
At approximately 1 p.m., the Coast Guard Cutter Amberjack spotted a vessel of interest approximately 9 miles north of the U.S./Mexico maritime border and 28 miles offshore. The Amberjack provided a Coast Guard Station South Padre Island 45-foot law enforcement boat with the vessel's position. The law enforcement crew identified it was a lancha with illegal fishing gear and interdicted them just north of the international border.
The crew of four Mexican nationals, Francisco Callejas Callardo, Josue Maldonado Rendon, Silvino Acosta Luna, and Jeremia Jonal Sevilla Perez, had five sets of illegal long line fishing gear aboard their boat. Three of the four men have been caught more than once illegally fishing in U.S. waters. Since Oct. 1, 2014, 24 lancha's have been interdicted and seized by the Coast Guard.
"The lancha was stopped and seized for illegal fishing. Additionally, traces of narcotics were also found onboard the boat" said Lt. Cmdr. Nathan Allen, the chief of law enforcement at Sector Corpus Christi.
If you witness suspicious or illegal fishing in state waters (out to 9 miles offshore), please contact Texas Parks and Wildlife Department “Operation Game Thief” at 1-800-792-GAME (4263). For all suspicious or illegal fishing occurring in federal waters (out to 200 miles offshore), please contact the U.S. Coast Guard at 361-939-6393.