$4 million worth of marijuana has washed up on a shore in Santa Barbara. The Associated Press reported that authorities found the massive amount of marijuana and a panga boat early Sunday at Arroyo Quemado Beach.
In the boat was 50 plastic wrapped bales of marijuana which weighed an estimated 2,000 pounds, reported The AP.
"The boat was apparently abandoned and had at least 20 fuel containers on board. Panga boats are often used for smuggling people or drugs into the United States from Mexico," reported the AP.
"During the early morning hours on Sunday March 17th, the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office was summoned to the area of Arroyo Quemada Beach, north of Refugio State Beach, to investigate a possible "Panga" boat located at the beach, as well as suspected Marijuana bales strewn about the area. The location where the "Panga" was found is comprised of lands owned by California State Parks," said Santa Barbara Sherrif's Couty Office's website.
The Santa Barbara County sheriff's officials said in a news release that "Sheriff's detectives located a significant amount of evidence that was consistent with marijuana smuggling activities, including trash and debris that was strewn about the beach and nearby coastal access trails."
The Daily Mail reported that earlier in the month at least $1 million worth of marijuana was found near Vandenberg Air Force Base which is about 60 miles away.
The $1 million worth of marijuana was discovered earlier this month in a boat that had crashed. Vandenberg AirForce Base officials said in a statement to the LA Times that the marijuana was found near a boat that had overturned north of Wall Beach. It was removed by Homeland Security investigators.
"Authorities were developing a plan to remove the boat, fuel and outboard motor, the statement said.
It was not immediately clear if anyone had been injured or arrested in the incident," reported The LA Times.
Vandenberg officials said at the time that they were continuing the search for potential suspects.
"Base personnel were told to avoid the area and contact base security right away if they see suspicious people or activity, officials said," reported The LA Times.
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