Two human smugglers have been charged after a panga boat carrying migrants capsized off Imperial Beach, San Diego, killing four passengers, federal prosecutors announced Monday.
The incident occurred amid rough surf on Nov. 14, when an argument reportedly broke out between the boat’s captain and several passengers. Customs and Border Protection agents were alerted to the vessel crossing the international maritime boundary and responded within an hour.
David Alfonso Barrera Nunes, a Mexican national believed to be the captain, was arrested Saturday and charged in connection with the deaths of the four migrants. A second man, Luis Enrique Barreto Goitia, also a Mexican national, faces charges of “Bringing in Aliens Resulting in Death” and “Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain,” according to the Department of Justice.
A passenger on the boat was charged with illegally reentering the United States. The individual was most recently removed on Nov. 3, 2025, following a 2012 deportation.
Officials said the panga was overloaded and had engine problems, sparking a confrontation between the captain and passengers who pleaded for the vessel to return to Mexico. The boat rotated in six-foot waves and eventually overturned. Barrera Nunes reportedly reached the beach second and did not assist the passengers.
Nine people were believed to be on board. Four died, while five survivors were rescued or detained and transported to local hospitals. One survivor told authorities he had been trapped in the submerged cabin but found a pocket of air that allowed him to breathe until the vessel was flipped upright by patrol agents.
The Justice Department said the charges reflect the dangers posed by human smuggling operations. Federal prosecutors noted that smugglers frequently place profits over safety, creating life-threatening conditions for migrants attempting to cross the border by sea.
This case highlights ongoing challenges at the U.S.-Mexico maritime border, where smugglers use small boats like pangas to illegally transport migrants. Authorities continue to warn of the risks involved, including capsizing, drowning, and exposure to rough ocean conditions.
Barrera Nunes and Goitia face serious federal penalties if convicted, including decades in prison. Authorities are urging anyone with information about human smuggling networks to come forward to prevent future tragedies.
Federal officials emphasized the importance of vigilance along the coastline, particularly during high surf and adverse weather conditions. Patrol units maintain a constant presence to intercept vessels attempting to illegally cross the maritime border.
The tragic deaths off Imperial Beach serve as a reminder of the risks migrants face and the legal consequences for those who facilitate human smuggling. Prosecutors said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed as more evidence emerges.
