Illegal Chinese Immigrants Captured After Swimming Ashore Naked in California...

May 23, 2002

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) - Ten illegal immigrants from China were captured Thursday after they swam ashore naked using life vests and a makeshift raft, police said.

An off-duty lifeguard spotted the men coming ashore about 3:30 a.m. and called authorities.

The men in their 20s and 30s appeared to be in good physical condition. They told police they had come from China, taking two boats and spending as much as a month at sea before they were dropped off close to shore.

Some of the immigrants wore life vests, one had a ship's flotation ring, and others were holding ropes attached to a small foam raft, Newport Beach police Sgt. Steve Shulman said.

After reaching the beach, they got dressed in clothes they had kept in plastic bags. They also had cigarettes, crackers and drinks.

Some wore baseball caps and tennis shoes while others had brought full suits and ties. One man was detained at the scene but the others scattered, forcing police and deputies to conduct an hours-long search with the aid of a helicopter. The other men were captured by 8 a.m. as far as five miles from the beach.

Newport Beach is a well-to-do enclave about 45 miles south of downtown Los Angeles.

http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/2854164p-3649714c.html