Coast Guard intercepts boat carrying 2,000 pounds of pot near Catalina

Coast Guard intercepts boat carrying 2,000 pounds of pot near Catalina

By Art Marroquin, staff writer
Posted: 01/11/2012 05:41:36 PM PST
Updated: 01/12/2012 07:32:07 AM PST

Eight people were arrested and 2,000 pounds of marijuana confiscated after a brief pursuit northwest of Catalina Island, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday.

Coast Guard crews were on patrol when they spotted two vessels on radar late Tuesday, said Petty Officer Adam Eggers, a Coast Guard spokesman.

A short pursuit ensued, ending by 11:45 p.m. with the arrest of four men in a boat containing the large stash of pot, along with four other men in a separate vessel, Eggers said.

The men and marijuana were transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigation agents for further investigation, Eggers said.

The U.S. Attorney's Office is expected to file drug trafficking charges against the four men who were aboard the boat with the drugs.

Coast Guard intercepts boat carrying 2,000 pounds of pot near Catalina - Press-Telegram