Agents Nab $4.1M in Pot off OC Coast after Boat Chase

Border agents early Tuesday morning chased down two Mexican men in a boat full of $4.1 million in marijuana bales off the coast of Laguna Beach, officials said in a press release.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection air and marine agents in an aircraft first tracked the panga-style boat traveling north off the coast of La Jolla at 12:45 a.m.; it drew their attention because it didn't display the required running lights, according to the release. 

The crew continued tracking the boat on the surface while agents sent out a night interceptor boat near Del Mar, to where the border protection aircraft had tracked it.

"The CBP interceptor boat caught up to the panga which then attempted to evade the Marine Interdiction Agents," the release states. "Agents stopped the panga at around 3:30 a.m., about 12 miles southwest off Laguna Beach with two male Mexican nationals onboard.  Marine Interdiction Agents arrested the men and discovered 38 bales onboard the panga containing a total of 119 packages of marijuana.  The marijuana has an estimated street value of more than $4,105,000."

The OAM agents seized the panga and turned custody of the men and marijuana over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations specials agents in San Diego, the release stated. The case is being referred to the U.S. Attorney's Office for prosecution.