6 men sentenced for smuggling marijuana on Panga boat off Big Sur
Six men were sentenced for their role in importing 2,800 pounds of marijuana into the United States back in June. The district attorney’s office said all six men were sentenced to two years in prison, according to the Monterey District Attorney’s office.
Alejandro Acosta, Jr, 26, Aaron Quintero, 23, Jesus Israelas Carrion Corrales, 51, Gonzalo Ruiz Quezara, 28, Victor Sandoval, 41, and Jose Burgueno Sanchez, 39, entered pleas of no contest Friday.
Their charges stem from a multi-agency response to a Panga boat landing near Mill Creek in Big Sur on June 12, the district attorney’s office said.
The United States Coast Guard first tracked the boat at sea. The San Luis Obispo County Task Force responded from the south and soon after Federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement, Customs and Border Patrol and Bureau of Land Management responded from the Bay Area. Additional agencies, including Monterey County Sheriff’s Office also assisted.
When San Luis Obispo officers arrived on scene they discovered 111 bales of marijuana unloaded. Officials said a Campsite was found near the beach along with a “GPS unit” that contained way points that traced the boat’s origin back to Ensenada Mexico.
The district attorney’s office said a total of nine men were arrested and charged with transportation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and conspiracy. Two of them posted bail and are presumed to have fled to Mexico, one previously plead guilty and the remaining 6 entered a plea Friday.
The DEA believes the Panga boat was being financed and controlled by the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. Officials said approximately 10 Panga boats landed on Central Coast beaches last year.
