LAGUNA BEACH – Border Patrol agents detained nine men and recovered more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana after a panga-style boat came ashore near Crystal Cove State Park.
The agents were patrolling the coastline around midnight Monday when they saw the vessel, the agency said.
Seven men were seen getting out of the boat after it came ashore, then unloading bundles onto the beach, authorities said. Two other men reportedly got out of a GMC Yukon and began helping with the unloading.
Border Patrol agents took the men into custody and seized 26 bundles of marijuana, authorities said. The accumulated marijuana weighed about 1,196 pounds and is believed to have a street value of nearly $1.8 million.
The men and the narcotics were turned over to Department of Homeland Security officials, while the Yukon and panga were seized by Border Patrol.
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