There have been quite a few discoveries of panga boats being used to smuggle drugs including here on the Central Coast. Last Friday, six people were arrested while offloading about 1400 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $4.2 million dollars near El Capitan State Beach. The boats are usually associated with fishermen in developing countries, but are now being used for illegal activity.
From October of last year to April of this year, 113 panga boats were found or captured from San Diego to Santa Barbara County. U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Adam Eggers tells KCOY CBS 12 and the Information Station that in response to this activity, there is more sharing of information between different agencies.
The six people who were arrested Friday in Santa Barbara County were booked into county jail and arrested for transportation and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.