2:20 p.m. UPDATE: An official with knowledge of the ongoing investigation into this morning’s abandoned Panga boat landing says that it appears authorities have taken three men into custody and seized approximately 2,000 lbs. of what appears to be marijuana.
The abandoned boat was found washed ashore at Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu around 7:30 a.m. this morning, laden with materials packed in plastic garbage bags.
1 p.m. UPDATE: An official with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. said there is no new information available regarding the Panga boat found abandoned this morning at Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu, including whether anyone onboard escaped into nearby hills.
Meanwhile, a bystander told The Malibu Times she witnessed two men in handcuffs at the scene while passing by.
Sgt. Watters with the Malibu / Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station said the department, which is the primary agency handling the investigation, was not currently releasing new details.
“We’re not releasing anything, because we don’t have good information as of yet,” Watters said.
Watters said a statement would be forthcoming from the Los Angeles Border Enforcement Security Taskforce (BEST), a branch of the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) comprised of local agencies.
An abandoned Panga boat likely filled with bales of marijuana was discovered at Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu on Monday morning.
Resident Kurt Holland found the boat filled with plastic bags around 7:30 a.m. and notified authorities. A helicopter search is currently underway to determine if anyone onboard the boat escaped into nearby hills.
Authorities have yet to confirm the contents of the plastic bags onboard, but many believe the bags contain marijuana. The area where the boat was found has been roped off as a crime scene. The situation is being handled by California State Parks, the L.A. County Fire Department, L.A. County Sheriffs and the California Highway Patrol.
