An abandoned panga was found in Santa Barbara on Sunday about one half mile south of Mariposa Reina.
A Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s helicopter spotted the suspected narcotic trafficking boat around 11 a.m. during a routine patrol of the coastal area.
Deputies, the U.S. Coast Guard, State Parks and Homeland Security responded to the 25-foot-long beached boat.
Authorities searched the boat and surrounding area but did not locate any drugs or suspects. 18 containers with at least 130 gallons of fuel were discovered on board.
Homeland Security took possession of the panga and will continue to investigate.
