Boat Captain, Engineer to Be Tried in Smuggling

The captain and engineer of a Taiwanese fishing boat will go on trial this week for allegedly smuggling illegal immigrants.

Nearly a year ago, 10 Chinese men startled the Big Sur community when they landed on shore and tried to use a pay phone outside a deli.

Sheriff’s deputies rounded up the men, who said they were the crew of a fishing vessel anchored nine miles off the Big Sur coast. On the boat, they found the captain and engineer tied up.

At first, authorities thought the 10 men had hijacked the boat, but they now believe the captain and engineer were trying to smuggle the men into the country.

The men said they were held in terrible conditions and took control of the boat after the captain demanded more money.