Grounded Panga Boat Near Malibu Pier Triggers Investigation

MALIBU, CA — Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of an empty panga boat that washed ashore near the Malibu Pier Monday morning.

The panga boat is commonly used in drug and human smuggling along Southern California's coast, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The boat was discovered near the 23200 block of Pacific Coast Highway about 8:45 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Authorities were looking for any possible occupants of the boat and were investigating an unconfirmed report that a body may have been found in the area.

"A panga style boat was recovered and a couple of lifejackets but nobody was taken into custody," said U.S. Border Patrol Agent Angel Moreno.

City News Service contributed to this report.