223 Pounds Of Cocaine Found On Boat Towed To Long Beach

LONG BEACH, CA — Authorities seized 223 pounds of cocaine Sunday from a boat that was disabled off the coast of Columbia and towed to Long Beach.

According to the United States Coast Guard, two people were floating in a panga-style vessel when they flagged down a good Samaritan who was on their way to Long Beach. The good Samaritan took the two people aboard their boat and towed their vessel.

As the group approached Long Beach, the crew contacted the Coast Guard to assist with disembarking the two additional passengers and recovering their boat.

"During that process, the crew notified the Coast Guard that drugs were possibly aboard the vessel," the Coast Guard said in a statement.

Authorities conducted a search of the towed boat and discovered cocaine concealed within a false bottom, according to the coast guard. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol took the two people into custody and seized the drugs and boat.

"This operation exemplifies the outstanding interagency collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard and CBP," said Lt. Cdr. Keith Robinson, chief of law enforcement at Sector Los Angeles - Long Beach.