Three people were arrested after authorities busted a drug smuggling panga boat off the coast of Malibu on Tuesday night, according to KTLA.
The Department of Homeland Security deployed both air and marine units to Latigo Beach in Malibu around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday evening after a suspicious boat was reported by Los Angeles County lifeguards.
After a brief pursuit, the boat was finally cornered approximately 11 nautical miles southwest of Point Dume. Three Mexican nationals were taken into custody of federal drug smuggling charges.
The boat’s occupants were seen throwing bales of marijuana overboard shortly before the pursuit ensued. So far 80 bales of marijuana have been recovered and the search is still ongoing. It was reported that each bale weighs about 20 pounds.