LOS ANGELES – Coast Guard and Customs & Border Protection assets joined forces to track and interdict a small boat carrying approximately 35 large bundles of marijuana with three men onboard just north of San Miguel Island, Calif., Nov. 14.
While on patrol, a CBP aircraft spotted the suspicious vessel and began tracking it on the boat’s northern route. Coast Guard sectors San Diego and Los Angeles – Long Beach were notified as well as the Maritime Coordination Center based in Long Beach.
Additionally, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and California Highway Patrol law enforcement officers were notified and began conducting increased shoreline patrols in the area.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles was launched and located the boat at about 9:55 a.m. The small boat was stopped in the water presumably after running out of fuel.
A team from the Coast Guard Cutter Blackfin conducted the boarding and detained the men.
A boat crew from Coast Guard Station Channel Islands Harbor has been launched to take custody of the men, the bundles of marijuana, and the small boat. The crews will then transfer all of the evidence and suspects to U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations special agents at an undisclosed location for possible prosecution.
