Customs agents intercept boat loaded with half ton of pot




UNION-TRIBUNE BREAKING NEWS TEAM

4:43 p.m. July 26, 2008



U.S. Customs and Border Protection photo
Agents intercepted this Mexican panga boat, arresting three male occupants and seizing more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana.
SAN DIEGO – U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents chased and intercepted a panga boat off the coast about 12 miles northwest of Point Loma early Saturday and found more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana onboard, authorities said.
Three Mexican nationals, all males, were arrested, said agency spokesman Vince Bond.

A Coast Guard helicopter that was patrolling in the area reported the panga, a type of boat typically used in Mexico for fishing, traveling in the darkness without lights. A CBP boat with three marine-interdiction agents responded and intercepted the 25-foot boat about 3:40 a.m., Bond said.



Advertisement Agents fired warning shots as well as disabling fire to the boat's engine, Bond said. Following a five-minute chase, the driver of the unmarked blue-and white boat stopped.
The CBP agents found 13 bales of marijuana weighing 1,062 pounds, valued at about $478,000, Bond said.

Bond said the three men appeared to be in good physical condition. They were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.



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