Abandoned boat leads Border Patrol to load of pot
Mechanical problem forced smugglers to ditch marijuana
MALIBU, Calif. (KYMA, KSWT, KECY) - San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents say a broken boat led them to some big bundles of marijuana.
Agents got the call on Sunday. They were told a fishing boat had washed ashore at Deer Creek Beach near Point Magu State Park.
Border Patrol found the boat, but didn't find any people around it. Agents did discover several large bales of pot nearby, as well as 500 gallons of fuel.
The marijuana weighed more than 60-pounds. Agents say it has an estimated street value of $24,000.
The Border Patrol was initially curious about why smugglers would abandon the boat. Its three outboard engines made it very fast. Boats of this type can carry up to 5,000 pounds of narcotics.
It turns out the vessel had a broken steering cable. Agents say the mechanical problem forced smugglers to dump the boat and leave behind the drugs.
Since October 1, 2019, the Border Patrol's Air and Marine Operations have seized 925-pounds of marijuana and 26 vessels. It's also made nearly 300 arrests in connection with maritime smuggling in the San Diego Sector.
