1 dead trying to swim across border from Tijuana, 13 captured

“Officials said one person is dead and 36 others were detained after a large group attempted to cross the U.S.-Mexico border by swimming around a barrier in San Diego, Calif.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents were notified Friday evening of approximately 70 people trying to swim into the country at the Border Field State Park, the agency said in a statement on Saturday.

The agency said border agents performed CPR on an unresponsive woman believed to be part of the group while requesting help from EMS, which arrived on the scene and continued to administer medical aid. She was pronounced dead around 12:30 a.m. 

Border Patrol agents took 36 Mexican adults in custody, including 25 men and 11 women, into custody along with 13 people who were captured from the water by the U.S. Coast Guard. All individuals were transported to a nearby Border Patrol station for processing. 

“This is yet another example of the ruthless tactics smuggling organizations use to bolster their power and profits.” said San Diego Sector’s Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke. “We will work tirelessly to pursue and bring to justice those responsible for this tragedy.”