Bales of marijuana found on Southern California coast

A report of a boat beached on the Southern California coast led to the discovery of 41 bales of marijuana during the weekend.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office says the report came in shortly before dawn Saturday and deputies found a 35-foot (10.6-meter) panga boat on the shore below Pacific Coast Highway between Malibu and Point Mugu.

In addition to 577 pounds (262 kilograms) of marijuana, investigators found 37 large containers filled with gasoline in the boat, floating in the water and on the beach.

Pangas are the vessel of choice for smuggling contraband up the coast from Mexico.