Boat with 24 aboard seized near Crystal Cove

Law enforcement officials seized a boat carrying 24 passengers early Thursday morning near Crystal Cove State Park.

Officers from Orange County Sheriff’s and Newport Beach Police departments, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation, apprehended 20 men and four women about 4:30 a.m. after their 25-foot boat came ashore, said U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent Jerry Conlin.

Authorities didn’t find any narcotics on board and took the passengers to a nearby border patrol station for processing, Conlin said.

The passengers — 23 from Mexico and one from Honduras — ranged in age from 17 to 54 and all were trying to enter the U.S. illegally, according to a border protection press release.

Officials seized the boat, which will eventually be destroyed, according to Conlin, who said he didn’t know the exact location where the boat came ashore.

— Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce