Smuggling Boat Found at Local Beach

18 people are in custody in connection with a smuggling boat that was discovered off Arroyo Quemada Beach in the early hours of Friday morning.

The National Guard, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Coast Guard, CHP, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies all responded.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents tell NewsChannel 3 roughly 2,000 pounds of marijuana was found. Officers were able to apprehend some of the alleged smugglers on site and others throughout the morning.

HSI officers stopped a vehicle in Camarillo where two passengers jumped out and escaped, leaving an unknown amount of marijuana in the bed of the truck.

The boat is now in the custody of HSI. It has been towed to Ventura as evidence in the ongoing criminal investigation.