Thread: $1.3 million in pot found in boat off Huntington Beach CA.

Published: Nov. 18, 2011 Updated: 6:06 p.m.

$1.3 million in pot found in boat off Huntington Beach, authorities say

By SEAN EMERY / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

HUNTINGTON BEACH – More than $1 million worth of marijuana and evidence of human smuggling was found on boats discovered in Huntington Beach in recent weeks, authorities said Friday.

Witnesses saw the boats on the beach along Pacific Coast Highway, between Goldenwest and Seapoint streets, around dawn Nov. 4 and Nov. 12, said Lori Haley, a spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

On the boat found Nov. 4, investigators discovered about18 life vests, which they described as evidence of human smuggling.

Authorities found about 2,600 pounds of marijuana on the boat found Nov. 12, Haley said. Officials say the marijuana had a street value of about $500 a pound, resulting in an estimated wholesale price about $1.3 million.

No one was found near the landing sites in either incident, Haley said, and no arrests were made.

Authorities say they were panga-style boats, which are small, open vessels often used for fishing.

Over the past year, authorities have reported a rise in the smuggling of people and drugs by sea, which they believe may be tied to tighter scrutiny at the border. Earlier this week, 10 people were taken into custody after a boat suspected to have been used in human smuggled was seen near the Naval Weapons Station in Seal Beach.

Staff writer Sal Hernandez contributed to this report.
Contact the writer: 714-796-7939 or semery@ocregister.com

http://www.ocregister.com/news/authorit ... h-nov.html

well don't the gov burn this when they get . & don't tell me they do

No amnesty