Panga Drug Bust Near Mugu

The National Guard spotted another drug smuggling panga boat just south of Mugu Rock and contacted Homeland Security Tuesday morning.The bust happened around 1a.m. near Deer Creek Road and the Coast Highway.ICE agents say they arrested 20 people including illegal immigrants on the boat and American citizens waiting on the beach.They believe others may have escaped.They also seized about four thousand pounds of pot.The area has become a hot spot for drug and human smuggling busts.Vessel Assist was called in to tow the panga.The incident comes one day after the Coast Guard busted two suspected Mexican Nationals stranded at sea in a broken down Cabin Cruiser full of more than 70 bales and bricks of plastic wrapped marijuana.Vessel Assist had received the call asking for a tow, but the owner says for the first time in years he was too busy to help and called the Coast Guard.Unlike Vessel Assist, the Coast Guard always boards a boat after a search and rescue.