Panga “Sting” Nets Six Arrests

Santa Barbara County – Six men are behind bars after being arrested near El Capitan trying to smuggle drugs into the United States.Two Mexican nationals and four Los Angeles Residents were arrested early Friday morning after undercover narcotics officers received a tip. They teamed up with officers from the Santa Barbara County SWAT Team, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office – Narcotics Bureau, California State Parks and the CHP.They conducted an operation in the area of El Capital State Beach as a result of an on-going investigation into the illegal trafficking of narcotics from Mexico. As a result of the investigation, six men were arrested after unloading approximately 1,400 lbs of marijuana from a panga boat. Officials say the drugs have a street value of more than $4 million.”Due to the increase in these Panga Boat landings, we’ve definitely taken a lot under consideration as far as training is concerned and our enforcement efforts,” said Sgt. Mark Williams, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Dept.These are the six men that were arrested:Habel Martinez Herrera, 11-14-68, MexicoDavid Arredondo, 2-26-86, Compton, California.Martin Guzman, 7-8-82, Compton, California.Marco Antonio Rangel, 9-1-81, Mexico.Mauricio Brito, 1-23-91, Compton, California.Deiber Chavez, 2-8-86, Los Angeles, California.