A couple flying into New York's John F. Kennedy Airport from the Dominican Republican attempted to conceal $250,000 worth of heroin in a whiskey gift box and a large speaker, authorities say.

Andres Uribe Rebolledo and his girlfriend Yuly Valencia Sanchez, both Colombian citizens, landed at JFK from Punta Cana Sunday with a Glenmorangie-brand whiskey gift box and a Marshall-brand speaker, Customs and Border Protection says.

During an inspection, CBP officers found the whiskey box and speaker felt "unusually heavy," and escorted the couple to a private search room. A probe of the two items uncovered a brown substance that tested positive for heroin, authorities said. 

In total, about nine pounds of heroin with an estimated street value of more than $250,000 were seized. 

Rebolledo and Sanchez face narcotics smuggling charges and are being prosecutors by the city's Special Narcotics Prosecutor's Office. It wasn't immediately clear if they had attorneys. 

It’s time for baseball and good food. This week in our local food and drink scene, Eater San Diego takes a look at fresh new eateries, breweries and more taking over Petco Park as the Padres swing into the 2017 season. 

Where to Eat at Petco Park: 2017 Edition
The San Diego Padres Home Opener is on April 7 and, just in time for the 2017 baseball season, some new spots are joining the ballpark’s stellar food and beverage lineup. New locations of popular local eateries, breweries and distilleries including Carnitas' Snack Shack, Wonderland Ocean Pub, Resident Brewing Co., Iron Fist Brewing Co., AleSmith Brewing Co. and Cutwater Spirits, are on the roster at Petco Park, raising the bar on ballgame treats. 

Ballast Point Launches Intimate Restaurant Inside Little Italy Brewpub
Freshly tapped in Ballast Point Brewing Company's Tasting Room & Kitchen on India Street is The Kettle Room, a new intimate dining concept currently open Sunday through Thursday within the bustling brewpub. It features its own upscale menu, full table service and a beer pairing list.

New Convoy Snack Shop Features Asian Chicken & Waffles
Your Story recently opened in Kearny Mesa with a fun and colorful comic-themed design and a menu that features Asian-fusion renditions of trendy dishes including chicken and waffles served with a Taiwanese-style bubble waffle and savory brick toast topped with lobster and cheese.

12 Must-Eat Grilled Cheese Sandwiches in San Diego
With National Grilled Cheese Day coming up on April 12, Eater has compiled a drool-worthy list of gooey, must-eat, superstar sandwiches across San Diego, from luxe renditions with lobster and gourmet cheese to melted down-home comfort fare. 

Brewery, Distillery & Marketplace Headed to Barrio Logan
A well-established North Park brewery will expand in a big way in Barrio Logan. Thorn Street Brewery is building a new production facility that will include a tasting room; in an adjacent warehouse, the brewery plans to build a distillery, called Thorn Spirits, along with a large-scale restaurant and spaces for retail vendors.

Chula Vista police released video Thursday of a road rage attack that ended with a driver being stabbed in the middle of the street.

Three people are wanted in connection with the violent incident, which took place around 2 p.m. Saturday at J Street and 2nd Avenue in Chula Vista.

According to the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD), the victim had stopped behind a two-door, 2003 Hyundai sedan and honked at the driver to alert them that the light had turned green. The victim thought the woman driving the Hyundai was distracted by her phone and hadn't noticed the light turn green.

Police said the driver of the Hyundai and her male passenger got upset with victim for honking at them.

After a short verbal exchange, they followed the victim's vehicle for several blocks. Both drivers stopped at J Street and 2nd Avenue, got out of their cars and began physically fighting.

During the altercation, the victim was stabbed once in the chest by the male passenger of the Hyundai.

"The victim didn't know he was stabbed. He immediately thought he was punched,” said Chula Vista Police Capt. Fritz Reber. "He was in the hospital three days. He had to undergo some exploratory surgery, so certainly wasn't a minor wound."

Police said a third suspect, another man, also joined in the fight. He may have walked up during the confrontation or could have been in another vehicle.

The victim's wounds are not considered to be life-threatening but are still serious, police said.

Reber told NBC 7 the victim made the mistake of stopping and confronting the aggressor instead of simply changing course.

He said other motorists should remember this case if they're ever in a similar situation that could escalate to road rage.

"Don’t stop. Don't pull over," Reber said. "Yes, you are probably angry but just keep driving. Turn the other way."

The videos released by the CVPD were captured by two different witnesses.

"Having this video from witnesses is essential for investigators," Reber said.

The suspects are described to be a man between the age of 17 to 22, approximately 5-foot-5 and 140 pounds. He had short, bushy, black hair and possibly a mustache and was last seen wearing white utility overalls.

The second suspect who walked into the fight was possibly around 20 years old, 5-foot-11 and around 220 pounds. He had a shaved or bald head, and wore a light-colored ball cap with a dark brim, a light-colored T-shirt over a long-sleeved dark shirt and blue jeans.

Police described the woman as approximately 18 to 22 years old with long, dark hair. Police are asking for the public's help to identify the three victims.

This is the second road rage incident this week in Chula Vista that ended in violence.

On Monday, two couples were recorded getting into a violent fight on 3rd Avenue and K Street. In that incident, one woman ended up with a bloody face.

Police said they cannot explain the sudden uptick in such incidents but said cellphone usage does add aggravation to the driving equation.

Friday is Cesar Chavez Day in honor of the civil rights and labor movement leader, and a number of local are closed.

Here’s a look at what’s closed and what’s open around town:

• All City of San Diego Administrative Offices are closed.

• All city libraries are closed.

• All city rec centers and pools are closed.

• Public buildings at Balboa Park are closed, including the Botanical Building, Casa Del Prado, Municipal Gym and War Memorial Building.

• Parking meters and time restrictions for parking on streets will not be enforced.

• San Diego County Superior Court is closed as well as county offices.

• Mission Trails Regional Park’s visitor center is open.

• Chollas Lake is open from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• San Vicente Reservoir is open a half-hour before sunrise to sunset.

• Golf courses are open as scheduled.

• The Miramar Landfill is open from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Stalwarts in the fight against human trafficking in San Diego County met Friday to announce the pursuance of three measures aimed at protecting victims and bringing justice to their traffickers.

Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) is working to introduce the initiatives which aim to combat sex trafficking on the streets, and in the courtroom.

According to Senator Atkins, San Diego is one of three California cities on the FBI’s list of top 13 cities in the country for sex trafficking. According to researchers at Point Loma Nazarene University and the University of San Diego, an estimated 8,100 people fall victim to the industry in San Diego County each year.

“When America’s finest City, as the Senator mentioned, makes the list for the FBI as one of the worst places for child prostitution, it’s time for every member of our community to pay attention,” county District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said.

Senate Bill 230 focuses on bringing justice to trafficking victims by helping prosecutors build stronger cases against sex traffickers.

The bill would allow prosecutors to introduce evidence from a criminal defendant’s past sex trafficking crimes when they are being tried for a sexual offense. Prosecutors can introduce evidence from a defendant’s similar past offenses, but according to Senator Atkins, human trafficking is not a crime included on the list of sexual offenses.

“It’s important to expand the law to allow character evidence also, and evidence of past criminal acts to be used in cases involving sex trafficking, pimping and pandering,” Dumanis said. “As the Senator said, it makes sense, doesn’t it?”

Dumanis said the bill will only help prosecutors because sex trafficking cases are notoriously difficult due to the nature of the victims and traffickers.

“Girls as young as 12 years old in neighborhoods across San Diego County are being recruited and trapped into a life of prostitution, or more accurately, a life of perpetual abuse at the hands of their pimps,” Dumanis added.

According to Dumanis, 50 percent of traffickers are gang members. Traffickers often use physical and mental abuse to dissuade their victims from fleeing or going to authorities for help.

Senator Atkins says that it was Dumanis who brought forth the idea of SB 230.

The second bill, SB 270, would create a mandate for hotels and motels to train their employees on recognizing signs of human trafficking and how to report those signs to authorities.

Hotels and motels have long been a common marketplace for the business of prostitution human trafficking.

“Starting as a teenager, and for 13 more years, I was trafficked up and down the I-5 corridor by a notorious pimp, and for at least a third of that time, we were in hotels and motels,” sex trafficking survivor and author Wendy Barnes said. “Sometimes we would stay for a day or two, other times we would stay for plenty of months. At some of those times I was confident that hotel staff knew what was happening. I could see that some of the staff felt sorry for us, they just didn’t know how to help. If hotel staff had been trained to know what to look for and what to do when suspecting trafficking activity, I may have been saved sooner.”

SB 270 started last year as the Safe Action Project, which was spearheaded by Chief Deputy District Attorney Summer Stephan and California Hotel and Lodging Association (CHLA) board members. Nearly 60 hotels and motels in the San Diego area have since gone through training to detect signs of human trafficking on their grounds.

Last year, the District Attorney’s Office and community partners held the first Hotel Motel Human Trafficking Awareness Symposium in the county under the leadership of Chief Deputy Stephan.

The third bill, titled Assistance for Survivors, is an initiative to provide housing and mental health services for sex trafficking victims.

“We need to give victims a safe place to stay, removed from their traffickers,” Atkins said. “We also need to provide children with mental health counselling to overcome the specific type of trauma that comes from being trafficked.”

Atkins says that the state lacks an affective system that serves child and adult victims, and that better housing situations are needed. She says that providing funding for this bill is one of her top priorities for her first years in the Senate.

How do you convince people they should pay more at the gas pump? That's the challenge facing Sacramento politicians and state union leaders.

"It is the largest investment in state history," said State Senate leader Kevin de Leon.

An investment that pays dividends in better streets, roads and highways. But who wants to pay 12 cents more at the gas pump?

"We're looking at the sweet spot," said de Leon, "We don't want it too high obviously, you don't want it too low.  If it's too low it's not going to make a difference for California."

Those pushing for the tax increase, including Governor Jerry Brown, argued that it is the first gas excise tax increase in 23 years. Senate Bill supporters said it will raise $52 billion over 10 years.

The proposal also includes higher taxes on diesel fuel and a $100 annual fee on zero-emission vehicles.

"While the folks who are driving old Fords, old Toyota's are paying their fair share, we want the folks who are driving Tesla's to pay their fair share too," said Assemblymember Todd Gloria, with the 78th District in San Diego County.

But will drivers embrace the idea of seeing their transportation costs go up?

Many complained when prices go up 5 or 8 cents--this increase is 12 cents for every gallon.

University of San Diego economist Alan Gin said that for every penny increase at the gas pump, the San Diego economy loses one million dollars.

"I'm not worried about this doing harm to our economy," said Gloria, "I'm concerned about continuing not to do anything is going to do tremendous harm to our economy."

On Wednesday, NBC 7 spoke to several San Diegans who voiced their opposition to the plan. Some stated they were unsure the money would even be used for road repairs and expressed doubt in seeing any improvement.

Friday, Gloria said he suported the hike because the expenditures would be transparent.

“This legislation includes high accountability standards to insure that these funds are spent wisely and transparently so that they cannot be diverted to other uses, other than our transportation,” Gloria said.

Supporters argued that California drivers spend more than $700 every year in repairs due to pothole filled roads. They also argued the tax increase will mean more money into the local economy from additional construction jobs.

San Diego's homelessness activists say they're finally seeing more money to put toward the many problems on the streets.

Their big concern now is where, and how best to spend it.

This region has the nation's fourth largest homeless population – nearly 9,000 documented and 17,000 estimated, spread far beyond San Diego.

"This is not just a problem that has a dollars-and-cents cost, this is a human suffering cost,” said Lisa Halverstadt, who has reported extensively on homelessness issues for NBC 7’s media partner, Voice of San Diego.

“There are people suffering on our streets, and people in the community are seeing that,” Halverstadt added during Friday’s recording session for Sunday’s edition of Politically Speaking. “And I really believe they want action immediately."

There are encouraging signs that San Diego's homeless are a growing priority, as business leaders and nonprofit organizations pursue initiatives for emergency care and services.

The city is looking to open a central intake facility, and add hundreds of shelter beds.

The county is working to identify "surplus" property that could go toward housing.

And there’s increasing emphasis on investing in long-term solutions, collaborative approaches that maximize forces and resources.

Father Joe's Villages, as NBC 7 reported Thursday, is planning a half-billion dollars' worth of affordable housing – more than 2,000 new units, many of them in revamped motels.

“There’s plenty of money that’s coming into this, plenty of interest,” said attorney Tom Theisen, former chairman of the regional task force on homelessness. “But we need to avoid sort of getting into this competition where we do a lot of half-baked ideas, and we don’t do a coordinated, well-focused effort.”

Besides money and coordination, the other watchword recognized in all this is leadership.

"The cost of doing something is far less than the cost of doing nothing,” said Bob McElroy, founder and CEO of the Alpha Project, who has devoted three decades to addressing homelessness.

“But somebody needs to stand up and say 'Let's go do this thing -- let's do it now. That's what I'm hopeful for."

After years of North Korea thumbing its nose at the international community, on Friday Defense Secretary James Mattis appeared to signal enough was enough.

"Right now, [North Korea] appears to be going in a very reckless manner … and that has got to be stopped," Mattis said at a news conference in London.

He didn't give any details about how the administration of President Donald Trump plans to deal with the reclusive nation, which, under Kim Jong Un, has drastically increased its missile and nuclear-testing program.

But Mattis' remarks continue a recent trend of Trump officials taking a harder line on North Korea, NBC News reported.

A woman was killed after she was hit by an Amtrak train Friday morning in Oceanside.

The incident happened around 9:25 a.m. on the railroad tracks near Coast Highway 101 and Cassidy Street, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO). 

The woman was hit by a southbound Amtrak rain, going at approximately 60 miles per hour after she ran towards the tracks. 

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The North County Transit District (NCTD) cancelled service for the northbound Amtrak train around 11 a.m.  and instructed passengers to board the Pacific Surfliner.

SDSO is asking anyone with information to contact them.

A lockdown at Westview High School in the Poway Unified School District has been lifted after police sweeping the campus found no gun or evidence of a crime, officials said Friday afternoon.

The school in the 13500 block of Camino Del Sur was placed in lockdown just before 11:30 a.m. after someone said they spotted a gun in a backpack.

Officers converged on the school grounds in search of the person reported to have had a gun in a backpack in a school bathroom.

Nearly two hours later, San Diego police gave the "all clear," signaling that they had scoured the entire school campus and did not find any evidence that a person had a gun.

No crime was committed and no one was hurt, police said.

Earlier in the day, worried parents descended on the school grounds, texting their children about the lockdown.

Just after 1 p.m., the school district issued a statement that students were released for a brief lunch period and classes would resume thereafter with fourth period.

School officials said parents could pick up their children from fourth period if they come to the front of school and provide a valid ID.

Please refresh this page for updates on this breaking story. Details may change as more information becomes available.

Starting Saturday, receipts will look slightly higher for those who shop in Chula Vista or Del Mar, as a sales tax increase approved by voters is implemented.

Effective April 1, the sale tax in Chula Vista will go up by a half-cent, while the sales tax in Del Mar increases by 1 percent. Both hikes are intended to help fund public projects in the communities and were approved by voters in the Nov. 8, 2016, election.

Chula Vista’s sale tax increase – known to voters as Measure P – is temporary, designed to be in effect for the next 10 years.

According to the city’s website, it is projected to raise $178 million to help “fund high-priority infrastructure need,” including upgrades to equipment used by police officers, firefighters, paramedics and 911 officials. Funds will also be used to repair streets and sidewalks, replace storm drains, improve parks and repair recreation facilities.

To read more about the plans for Chula Vista’s sales tax increase, click here.

Meanwhile, Del Mar’s sales tax hike – known to voters in the community as Measure Q – will help pay for large public projects and services including improving roads by undergrounding utility lines and beautifying streets. Funds will also be used to provide additional safety services and improve community parks, according to the city’s website. The increase brings the sales tax in Del Mar to 8.75 percent.

The advancement of California’s sanctuary state bill (SB 54), meant to strengthen protection for immigrants in the state, brought added attention to Friday’s 19th annual Caesar E. Chavez Community Breakfast downtown.

Attorney General Xavier Becerra gave a speech at the breakfast, mostly focusing on his upbringing as the child of immigrants. Afterward, Becerra spoke exclusively with NBC 7 about immigration law in California if it were to become a sanctuary state.

“Federal immigration authorities cannot require our local police and sheriff to go out into communities and conduct immigration activities,” Becerra said.

Becerra sited the TRUST Act (AB 4), a 2014 bill aimed at limiting immigration hold requests in local detention centers.

“The state has a right to say that we want to provide for the public safety of our people, and we see how sometimes it can be disruptive if the federal government has a different way of doing its operations,” he added.

A contentious point within the immigration debate centers on undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes. Becerra said that some violent offenders would be subject to arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“If the person has committed a crime like rape or murder, then that person would be subject to ICE detention if held by the local law enforcement authorities,” Becerra said. “There would be information provided to ICE, who would then be able to access that person.”

Earlier this week, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions encouraged sanctuary cities to change their guard or face consequences.

“Failure to deport aliens who are convicted of criminal offenses puts whole communities at risk. Especially immigrant communities in the very “sanctuary” jurisdictions that seek to protect the perpetrators,” said Sessions at a White House news conference.

Also in attendance at the breakfast was Paul R. Chavez, the grandson of Caesar E. Chavez and President of the Chavez Legal Center, and Emilio Huerta, son of Dolores Huerta and Social Justice Activist.

The fallout of alleged Russian election interference, already a major distraction for the President Donald Trump, grew more ominous for the White House Thursday, according to an NBC News analysis.

The story that House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes got secret intelligence information from a "whistleblower," partially backing Trump's claim that his predecessor wiretapped him, unraveled as two reports indicated Nunes received his information from White House officials.

Then, a lawyer for Trump's fired national security adviser, Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, announced he is seeking criminal immunity from Congress in exchange for testimony — Flynn "has a story to tell," the lawyer said.

"You're finally getting the intersection between the counterintelligence investigation and the cover up," said MSNBC contributor Naveed Jamali, a reserve Navy intelligence officer who went undercover for the FBI to help catch a Russian spy.

A distraught man who sat on a freeway bridge in San Diego for 21 hours jumped Friday morning but survived after landing on shrubs on an embankment below.

The busy stretch of southbound Interstate-5 at the Interstate 8 connector had remained shut down to traffic since 2:25 p.m. Thursday, as police and crisis negotiators tried to help talk the man down, repeatedly asking him to surrender without hurting himself.

The 36-year-old man sat on the guard rail and did not budge. The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) said he was uncooperative and refused to come down to a safe location, threatening to jump and endangering motorists below the bridge.

During the 21-hour ordeal, crisis negotiators, at times using megaphones, spoke to the man while he sat on the ledge. At one point, negotiators rested their hands on the man's shoulder as they got close to speak with him. 

Firefighters and medics were also on-hand, standing below the bridge. An inflatable, bright yellow landing mat was placed below the bridge near emergency crews, acting as a cushion in case the man decided to jump.

At 11:30 a.m., the man jumped backwards off the bridge, away from the cushion. He landed in some shrubs just off the side of the freeway. Medics rushed to his aid and placed him on a stretcher. The man was conscious and mumbling, and appeared to be okay. Police said he suffered only minor injuries; he also complained of back pain.

The man was arrested, loaded into an ambulance and taken to UC San Diego Medical Center.

The heavy police activity caused major traffic troubles in the area -- both Thursday afternoon and well into Friday's morning commute. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) shut down southbound lanes of I-5 at the westbound Interstate 8 connector.

Throughout the ordeal, commuters experienced lane closures on northbound I-5, also, to westbound I-8, southbound I-5 between SeaWorld Drive and I-8 and northbound I-5 to the eastbound I-8 connector.

By early Friday, some of those closures had been lifted, but some still remained in place including northbound I-5 to westbound I-8 and southbound I-5 between SeaWorld Drive.

During the morning commute, southbound I-5 traffic was being diverted to Rosecrans Street. CHP officers were also recommending drivers avoid the area by diverting to State Route 52.

Once the man was in custody, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) confirmed the freeways would reopen. All lanes were open to traffic shortly thereafter.

CHP officials held a news briefing Friday to discuss the ordeal.

"The ultimate goal was to save the individual's life," said CHP Officer Jake Sanchez.

Sanchez said three crisis negotiation teams were used over the lenghty afternoon-overnight-morning ordeal: a local team, a federal team and a Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) team.

Sanchez had no details about the man's personal life or what motivated him to sit on the bridge in the first place. Sanchez said the man could face charges from both CHP and the SDPD, as the investigation is ongoing.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis and needs helps, call San Diego County’s hotline at (800) 479-3339. Trained professionals are on the other end of the line, 24/7, available to help.

A man accused of trying to smuggle four undocumented Chinese nationals crammed in the trunk of his car across the U.S.-Mexico border into San Diego has been identified as the son of a famous Mexican mariachi musician.

Jose Emiliano Aguilar, 24 – son of Grammy Award-winner Pepe Aguilar – was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers on March 14 at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Jose Aguilar allegedly arranged to smuggle the immigrants into the U.S. under a deal in which they would each pay him between $3,000 and $60,000 if they successfully entered the country, according to a complaint filed in federal court.

The complaint said Jose Aguilar drove through a border checkpoint just after 5:45 p.m. on March 14 in a Chrysler 200, accompanied by woman in the passenger seat.

Jose Aguilar, a U.S. citizen, showed his passport to CBP officers, while his passenger showed officers her Border Crossing Card. The documents state Aguilar told officers they were headed to San Diego and had nothing to declare from Mexico.

During a routine primary inspection of the car, a K-9 alerted officers to the trunk. Officers told Jose Aguilar to unlock it; inside the small space were four undocumented Chinese nationals, three women and one man, officials said. Aguilar and his companion were detained while CBP officers removed the people from the trunk.

They were questioned as “material witnesses” and, according to documents, admitted they were citizens of China without lawful documents to enter the U.S.

They had each made their own smuggling arrangements with Jose Aguilar, agreeing to pay him to help them get into the U.S. Two of the Chinese nationals said they planned to head to Los Angeles, while the other two said they were headed to New York City.

Jose Aguilar faces federal charges on suspicion of human smuggling.

A document filed in the U.S. District Court Southern District of California shows he was released on a bond of $15,000. His bond conditions include that he not travel to Mexico and that he not possess any drugs or firearms. He must also report to supervision to a Pretrial Services Agency.

Additional conditions outlined for Jose Aguilar that he must undergo psychiatric or psychological counseling, he must “actively seek and maintain full-time employment, schooling, or combination of both,” and must live with his mother. He must also surrender his passport and cannot apply for new travel documents.

NBC 7 reached out to his San Diego-based attorney, Jeremy Warren, Friday for comment on this case.

Warren confirmed Jose Aguilar's relation to Pepe, but said this case has nothing to do with the mariachi singer. The attorney released this statement to NBC 7:

"We understand the interest in our client Jose Aguilar because of his father’s musical career. However, this case has nothing to do with Pepe Aguilar. Jose Aguilar is young man who will address this matter in court, and not in the press. We understand that Pepe Aguilar will provide a statement shortly. In the meantime, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy."

The prosecutor in this case, Assistant U.S. Attorney Blanca Quintero told NBC 7 the U.S. Attorney's Office would not be commenting any further at this time.

Records show Jose Aguilar is scheduled to be arraigned in court on April 13.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

Approximately six tons of cocaine, intercepted in international waters by crews of several U.S. Coast Guard cutters, were offloaded Friday in San Diego.

Crews of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Stratton offloaded at the 10th Avenue Marine Terminal.

According to the Coast Guard, the cocaine was seized off the coast of Central and South America by crews of U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Stratton, Spencer, Sherman and Mohawk.

Stratton, a 418-foot national security cutter, seized approximately 3,700 pounds of the six tons of cocaine.

It was the first Coast Guard cutter to use an unmanned aerial system (sUAS) for the entirety of a patrol. The sUAS assisted Stratton's helicopter and crew during drug seizures.

“We had a tremendously successful deployment from start to finish and I could not be more proud of the crew,” said Capt. Nathan Moore, Stratton’s commanding officer. “Stratton operates on the front lines attacking transnational criminal networks where they are most vulnerable, on our turf -- at sea."

In the 2016 fiscal year, the U.S. Coast Guard seized more than 416,000 pounds of cocaine and arrested 585 suspected smugglers.

Gilbert Baker, the artist and civil rights activist who created the iconic rainbow symbol for the gay rights movement, died of natural causes in New York City Friday. He was 65.

Baker sewed the original rainbow flag in 1978 after his friend, then-San Francisco city supervisor Harvey Milk, asked him to use his skills to make banners for gay and anti-war street protests. The flag has since come to represent inclusion and safety for the gay community worldwide.

The artist never patented the flag, saying instead that it was his gift to the world. 

Just days prior to his death, Baker had finished sewing what would be his last rainbow flag. 

"He had hand-sewn 39 of these flags to commemorate the 39th anniversary of the creation of the Rainbow Flag, with plans for them to be displayed in San Francisco in June," a press release said.

Dozens flocked to a vigil for Baker Friday night at Castro and Market streets in San Francisco, honoring him under a rainbow flag in the Castro district, one of the first gay neighborhoods in the country. The crowd observed a moment of silence, and supporters carried a giant rainbow flag inscribed with the words "resist" and "rise."

Fellow activist and longtime friend Cleve Jones said the community first flew the flag during the city's annual Pride parade almost 40 years ago. 

"Their faces lit up, and without any explanation at all, everyone knew immediately this was our flag," Jones recalled.

City officials lowered the rainbow flag that billows over the entrance to City Hall to half-mast Friday in honor of Baker.

In a statement released Friday, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee described Baker as a “trailblazer for LGBT rights, a powerful artist and a true friend to all who knew him.”

“At a time of great uncertainty in the LGBT community, Gilbert’s act of sewing together multicolored materials unified and empowered individuals across the country, helping to bring them together under a common cause,” Lee wrote.

Lee said that, for him, the rainbow flag is more than a mere symbol.

“It is the embodiment of the LGBT community, and it has become a source of solace, comfort and pride for all those who look upon it,” he said.

Other San Francisco leaders echoed their grief at Baker's passing.

Supervisor Scott Weiner credited him with helping to "define the modern [LGBT] movement."

Jeff Sheehy, another member of the city's board of supervisors, called Baker a "hero" for the community.

"The kid from Kansas was inspired by his own over-the-rainbow experience in 1978. The eight-color flag, which later became the six-color flag, is now the global symbol for the LGBT community. Gilbert was a master of political theater, and the core of his personal being was artistry. The rainbow flag will always be his greatest work of art," Sheehy said in a statement.

NBC Bay Area's Jean Elle contributed to this report.

The U.S. Navy’s Sterett-Dewey Surface Action Group (SAG) deployed from Naval Base San Diego Friday on a mission to the Western Pacific.

The Sterett-Dewey SAG, made up of guided missile destroyers USS Sterett and USS Dewey, Destroyer Squadron 31, and Helicopter Maritime Squadron 49 and 78, is heading out to conduct regional patrols and maritime security operations.

"We are building upon the successes and applying the lessons learned from the inaugural PACSAG deployment," said Capt. David A. Bretz, commander, DESRON 31. "The value of a SAG cannot be overstated. We are ready and able to support a variety of exercises and missions with our partners and allies in support of maritime stability and security in the Western Pacific."

Betty Chavez came to San Diego from Los Angles with her kids to waive goodbye to her husband, an electrician aboard one of the destroyers. She said this is the first time her children are old enough to really feel the gravity of the situation.

“I think they’re going to really feel it this time and miss him this time because the last deployment, they were still little so they don’t really remember,” Chaves said. “So there’s a lot of emotions right now for me and my kids.”

Living with a husband and father out at sea for an extended period isn’t easy, but Chavez said that her and her kids will do whatever they can to keep their sailor close, like putting up extra pictures around the house, emailing and writing letters, and sending him care packages in the mail.

"It's sad," said her son, 9-year-old Anthony Chavez when asked about how he felt seeing his father deployed.

Anthony added that while he was waving good-bye to his father, he wanted to tell him to "come back soon."

Sherri Maddel fought off tears as she explained the little things that she does to remember her husband while he’s away.

“Periodically smell his cologne, snuggling with his pillow, sleeping in his shirts,” she said. “Every morning he writes me sticky notes and leaves them on the microwave, so I taped them with packing tape so they won’t fall off.”

Maddel and her children tucked away a few cards and photos in father’s belongings for him to find as he unpacks. He’ll have those to look at if he ever missies his wife and four children. Maddel said she also sent him away with a blanket from home.

She said it was difficult to see her husband leave but she knew her family wasn't alone.

“It’s comforting to know that you’re not alone. To know that you’ve got people right there going through the same thing,” she told NBC 7.

San Diego Police (SDPD) reunited a young girl with her parents after she was found alone in Barrio Logan Friday night.

Police said 7-year-old Samantha was found unaccompanied on the 2900 block of Main Street at around 7 p.m. Thursday.

People in the neighborhood had discovered the little girl walking by herself. She could not remember her phone number or address, police said.

Officers walked with Samantha, hoping she would remember or recognize something familar. After several blocks, police said Samantha saw her mother, aunt and sister looking for her on Boston Avenue.

Samantha's mom, Deeana Mendralla, told NBC 7, her daughter was at her friend’s house and wandered off the property and got lost.

"She probably walked out the gate with her friends," said Mendralla. "And she knows better."

The two embraced each other with hugs and kisses and returned to their home less than a block away from Samantha's friend's house. Mendralla said Samantha was found near a bar.

SDPD said they advise all parents to make sure your kids know your home address and phone number, in the event that they ever get lost.

An additional temporary southbound lane will be added next week at the Calexico West Land Port of Entry (LPOE), according to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).

The temporary lane will open at 8 a.m. on April 3 to ease traffic from the southbound State Route 111 heading into Mexico.

In January, one southbound lane was closed on the SR-111 for construction as part of the Calexico Expansion and Renovation Project. 

According to the GSA, one lane on the northbound SR-111 will be reconfigured to move traffic from East 2nd Street and Imperial Avenue into a new southbound lane. This will allow construction work to continue at the port and decrease traffic.

GSA said all lanes will reopen on June 10 at 12 p.m. and the temporary southbound lane will be removed. 

Motorists can also use State Route 7 to access the Calexico East Land Port of Entry.