Sheriff’s Deputies Wrangle 15 Suspects From Panga Boat Drop-offs

1,909 pounds of marijuana impounded:

Nico and Jack Drug K-9s sniffed out the 53 bales of marijuana seized during an investigation of a panga boat found Wednesday at Montaña de Oro. A van was also seized during the investigation; "it's advertising a fake business" the Sheriff's Office said.

San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s deputies arrested 15 suspects for their connection in a marijuana-smuggling ring on Wednesday.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies located some suspicious vehicles just after midnight in Los Osos traveling into Montana de Oro State Park.

Deputies, with the assistance of the sheriff’s special operations unit, placed the vehicles under surveillance.

Investigators discovered a 35-foot panga boat on a secluded beach at Montana de Oro State Park.

During the surveillance, investigators saw the suspects loading up people and packages in the vehicles.

Deputies allowed the vehicles to head off and then initiated traffic stops along Los Osos Valley Road.

During the search of the vehicles, investigators discovered a large quantity of what they say is marijuana.

Deputies arrested 14 adult suspects and one 17-year-old juvenile. They were booked into SLO County Jail on various charges including transporting marijuana for sale, possession of marijuana for sale and conspiracy.

All of the suspects will be prosecuted locally.

Investigators confiscated 53 bales of marijuana for a total of 1,909 pounds. It is estimated to have a street value of 1.3 million dollars.

The sheriffs received assistance on this case from agents with the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, CHP, and State Parks Rangers.

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The Tribune: Panga boat found at Montaña de Oro; 14 people arrested