DFG Warden Discovers Boat, Drugs on Central California Coast

A Department of Fish and Game (DFG) warden discovered a drug running
boat and a large quantity of marijuana north of Morro Bay Thursday.

The warden was investigating a vehicle parked in an unusual location
near the northern boundary of the Piedras Blancas Marine Protected Area
(MPA) in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary when he spotted the
30-foot “Panga” boat beached on the sand. He followed fresh human
footprints leading away from the boat and found 22 bales of marijuana
nearby.

The boat was abandoned but held multiple plastic barrels containing
more than 400 gallons of fuel for the outboard engines. Because it was a
potential pollution hazard, wardens from DFG’s Office of Spill
Prevention and Response arrived to facilitate cleanup. Food, water,
clothing and other supplies were also found inside the boat.

Several other agencies including California State Parks, California
Highway Patrol and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office
responded to remove the fuel barrels and drugs, and tow the boat off the
beach.

Police from all the involved agencies searched near the boat and the
surrounding area with officers, dogs all-terrain vehicles and a
helicopter, but no suspects or additional evidence were found.

The Panga is a type of modest-sized, open, outboard-powered fishing
boat common throughout much of the developing world. They are considered
extremely seaworthy and can go as fast as 35 miles per hour. Law
enforcement personnel presume the drugs were being staged in the sand
dunes for pickup, transport and eventual sale.

MPAs are primarily intended to protect or conserve marine life and
habitat, and include state water quality protection area, state marine
cultural preservation area and state marine recreational management
areas. It is permissible to have a boat in the area but beaching a boat
is highly unusual and typically indicative of distress or illegal
activity.

The investigation is continuing.