The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a small boat carrying 18 people about 20 miles west of Carlsbad early Monday, Oct. 5.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Forrest Rednour detected a 25-foot panga, a type of open fishing boat, traveling north of the maritime boundary line at about 4:25 a.m., according to a Coast Guard press release. The cutter launched a small boat crew to intercept. Patch Carlsbad also reported on the interdiction.

A boarding team reached the panga at about 5:45 a.m. and detained all 18 people, who are suspected of entering the country without authorization, the Coast Guard said.

The crew transported them to Oceanside, where they were transferred to U.S. Border Patrol agents. The Forrest Rednour is a fast response cutter based in San Pedro.

The interdiction follows a pattern of maritime smuggling incidents near Carlsbad. On Sept. 21, a boat ran aground near Terramar Point, just north of South Carlsbad State Beach. Witnesses reported that six to eight people fled the vessel and entered a nearby vehicle before authorities arrived, according to Hoodline.

Maritime smuggling events along the San Diego County coast more than tripled between fiscal years 2019 and 2022, climbing from 194 to 669 recorded incidents, according to Hoodline.

The Coast Guard has not released further details about the 18 people or the panga's origin. All 18 were in Border Patrol custody in Oceanside as of the last update from the Coast Guard.