Ventura sheriff’s deputies find smuggling boat washed ashore near Mussel Shoals

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. - Ventura County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the shore of Mussel Shoals early Wednesday morning after a smuggling boat was discovered.

According to the sheriff's office, deputies were called to the beach near the old Mobil oil pier at around 5:15 a.m.

Witnesses told deputies that the boat came to shore and about 20 people emptied out of it and got into waiting vehicles.

When deputies arrived on scene there was no one to be found, but 37 life vests were discovered onboard the boat.

No drugs were found on the boat, the sheriff's office said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection was contacted and will take over the investigation.

Anyone with information about the smuggling boat should contact local law enforcement.