U.S. Coast Guard crews interdicted four Mexican fishermen suspected of illegal fishing activity in federal waters off the southern Texas coastline Thursday, seizing roughly 200 pounds of red snapper and associated gear.

The fishermen were operating north of the maritime boundary line in the Gulf of Mexico when they were spotted by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Doyle. Working in tandem with Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi’s Command Center and a response team from Coast Guard Station South Padre Island, officials detained the individuals and brought them ashore for processing by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The seized fish — along with illegal fishing equipment — were recovered from a lancha, a fast, slender fishing vessel commonly used to poach in U.S. waters. Lanchas typically measure 20 to 30 feet in length, are powered by outboard motors, and are capable of reaching speeds exceeding 30 miles per hour.

Authorities say lanchas are frequently used to illegally fish in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), particularly near the U.S.-Mexico maritime boundary in the Gulf.

The Coast Guard routinely conducts patrols in the region to deter and disrupt such activities.