Boat Beached; 20 Immigrants Detained

Twenty people believed to have been entering the country illegally on a panga boat were rounded up by police this morning on the beach from 45th Street to Grand Avenue, said El Segundo Lieutenant and Public Information Officer Ray Garcia.

ESPD received a call of a beached boat around 6:45 a.m. and worked with Manhattan Beach Police, the sheriff's department, lifeguards and the U.S. Coast Guard to round up the individuals, who fled in different directions when the boat came ashore.

The immigrants are believed to have left Tijuana, Mexico, in the boat sometime last night, said Garcia.

A helicopter from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the USCG were used in the detainment effort, according to Garcia. 

Agents from the U.S. Border Patrol are taking over the investigation. Officials do not think the individuals were smuggling drugs.

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