Mexican Nationals who Smuggled $3 Million of Marijuana Appear in Court
Three Mexican nationals who were allegedly piloting a fishing boat loaded with nearly three tons of
marijuana are expected to make their initial appearance in federal court to face drug trafficking charges.
[one_fourth]
[/one_fourth][three_fourth_last]
Border officers took the three men into custody early Sunday on San Miguel Island. The incident involved the US Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The incident began unfolding after a Good Samaritan spotted the small boat on the island and immediately contacted law enforcement officers at the Maritime Coordination Center in Long Beach, Calif.
A Customs and Border Patrol Black Hawk helicopter was launched and flew over the northwest end of the island. After spotting the suspects, the helicopter touched down and the three men were detained.
The Coast Guard Cutter Halibut arrived on-scene, where the three suspects were transferred aboard. The Halibut crew towed the boat and 5,700 pounds of marijuana back to Coast Guard Base Los Angeles-Long Beach, where the suspects and contraband were turned over to Homeland Security special agents.
The pot seized has an estimated street value of approximately $3 million dollars.
