Border Patrol Releases New Details About Drug Boat Discovered in Carlsbad

Updated Tuesday 4:45 p.m.

U.S. Border Patrol agents detained three men early this morning for attempting to smuggle 1,460 pounds of marijuana into the United States aboard a 25 foot, open-hulled panga boat.

The boat was discovered around 1:20 a.m. traveling along the coastline near . According to the Border Patrol the boat came ashore just north of the power plant. 

Agents conducted a search of the area and arrested a 31-year-old Mexican national and a 29-year-old United States citizen who had fled from the beached boat. A search of the panga revealed five fuel containers and 19 bundles of marijuana with a total weight of almost 1500 pounds and an estimated street value of $729,950. 

About a half hour later, searched the area for any additional subjects and stopped a suspicious vehicle for further questioning.  Border Patrol agents responded to the scene and took custody of a 29-year-old Nicaraguan national who was legally present in the U.S. 

The three men, drugs, vehicle, and boat were turned over to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Marine Task Force for further investigation.