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18 arrested in coastal marijuana bust 

Panga Boat

The 35-foot panga boat was discovered about a mile north of San Simeon Beach. Four bales of marijuana were discovered still on the boat. Photos by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies catch panga boat landing, stop two vans and motorhome fleeing

144 bales of marijuana with an estimated street value of $2.7 million were confiscated

Early Wednesday morning San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies were conducting routine Panga patrols along Highway One near San Simeon. Deputies noticed suspicious activity taking place in an area about a mile north of San Simeon Beach.

Deputies had spotted a large motor home, two cargo vans and another vehicle in that area. They followed the vehicles and proceeded to initiate a traffic stop on the motorhome and the car near the junction of highway 46 and highway 101.

Several people in the motorhome were detained and a significant amount of marijuana bundled in bales was confiscated. Several others in the car were also detained and a quantity of methamphetamine was confiscated.

In the meantime, traffic stops were initiated on the two cargo vans as they were traveling on highway 46, a few miles east of highway one heading toward Paso Robles. One van stopped, but the other van led deputies on a short pursuit that ended when the van turned off the highway onto a dirt road and then over a steep embankment where it crashed.

One of the three people in that van was hurt. All were taken into custody. The 35-foot panga boat was discovered about a mile north of San Simeon Beach. Four bales of marijuana were discovered still on the boat. In all, 18 adults are now in custody on charges of transportation of marijuana for sale, possession of marijuana for sale and conspiracy. Investigators confiscated 144 bales of marijuana for a total of 3,465 pounds. It’s estimated to have a street value of 2.7 million dollars.

marijuana bust

Several people in this motorhome were detained and a significant amount of marijuana bundled in bales was confiscated.

 

Panga motorhome

After noticing suspicious activity, deputies followed three vehicles and initiated a traffic stop on the motorhome.

Panga-Van

This van led deputies on a short pursuit that ended when the van turned off the highway onto a dirt road and then over a steep embankment where it crashed near Cayucos.

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About the author: Publisher Scott Brennan

Scott Brennan is the publisher of this newspaper and founder of Access Publishing. Follow him on Twitter, LinkedIn, or follow his blog.