By Reza Gostar
Federal authorities detained five suspected illegal immigrants Friday afternoon in Malibu. A U.S. Border Patrol spokesman told Malibu Patch the detainees might be connected to an abandoned 30-foot Panga—a vessel commonly used for human and drug trafficking—found in the morning at Leo Carrillo State Beach.
"Clothes and several canisters of gasoline were discovered onboard [the boat]," said Deputy Steve Difonzo of the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station. "State Parks and several other agencies responded."
Nine life vests were found on the boat, said Rodolfo Zuinga, a spokesman for the U.S. Border Patrol.
U.S. Border Patrol agents could be seen combing the area where the boat was discovered, and several witnesses said they saw Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department helicopters patrolling the nearby hills.
This is the fourth abandoned Panga found in the Malibu area this year. Zuniga told Malibu Patch that increased security on the U.S. border with Mexico has forced criminal organizations to turn to other methods of transporting illegal contraband and individuals.
"Clothes and several canisters of gasoline were discovered onboard [the boat]," said Deputy Steve Difonzo of the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station. "State Parks and several other agencies responded."
Nine life vests were found on the boat, said Rodolfo Zuinga, a spokesman for the U.S. Border Patrol.
U.S. Border Patrol agents could be seen combing the area where the boat was discovered, and several witnesses said they saw Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department helicopters patrolling the nearby hills.
This is the fourth abandoned Panga found in the Malibu area this year. Zuniga told Malibu Patch that increased security on the U.S. border with Mexico has forced criminal organizations to turn to other methods of transporting illegal contraband and individuals.
PATCH
