Full Notification

Marina del Rey Sheriff's boat operator deputies recover contraband thrown overboard from panga boat.

At approximately 0655 hours on August 15, 2013, Los Angeles County Fire Department called Marina del Rey Sheriff's Station to report a panga boat sighted offshore by a lifeguard stationed at Zuma Beach. Marina del Rey Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol boat Edgington was dispatched to locate the vessel, and the information was relayed to the United States Coast Guard via the Maritime Coordination Center. The USCG immediately deployed three vessels and a helicopter for the search. At 0820 hours, an LASD Raptor boat joined the search operation.

The USCG made contact with the panga boat at approximately 0830 hours, and the panga boat attempted to evade detention. During the pursuit, the two suspects aboard the panga boat discarded contraband overboard. The USCG was able to detain the boat, while deputies aboard the Edgington were able to retrieve most of the contraband, while the LASD Raptor crew retrieved a small balance.

The USCG took two suspects into custody along with the contraband left aboard the panga, and towed the panga vessel to the Port of Los Angeles. The contraband in Sheriff’s Department custody was ultimately transported to the Port of Los Angeles and into the custody of the Border Enforcement Security Task Force for an apparent nacotics contraband investigation.