News

Released: May 24, 2012 - Thursday, 04:30 PM

Panga Boat found on North Coast

Contact: Commander Aaron NixPhone: (805) 781-1423Date and time of incident: 05/24/12, 1030 hoursPlace of Occurrence: State Park beach area approximately 2 miles north of Piedras BlancasVictim Information: N/ASuspect Information: unknownOn 05/24/12 at 1037 hours the San Luis Obispo Sheriff's Office received a report from State Park Rangers that Fish and Game Officers had found an unoccupied Panga Boat on the shore approximately two miles north of Piedras Blancas. Investigators with the Sheriff's Narcotics and Special Operations Unit responded to the location to find a 35-foot Panga Boat outfitted with two high-power outboard motors beached on a remote stretch of coastline. The boat was fully loaded with fuel and packaged bales of marijuana. There were no suspects on scene, but investigators found evidence that the occupants of the boat had left the area on foot.

Sheriff's Investigators have removed approximately 18 to 22 packaged bales of marijuana, each believed to be 100 lbs. in weight. The marijuana, boat motors, and forensic evidence collected at the scene were removed using department all terrain vehicles. The fuel was placed in sling loads and air-lifted out with the assistance of a California Highway Patrol helicopter. The boat is in the process of being moved by Sheriff's personnel, and they expect to have it removed in the next several hours.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing. The Sheriff's Office asks that anyone with any information pertinent to this case contact the Sheriff's general information line at (805) 781-4550, or Crime Stoppers at (805) 549-STOP.