SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif- Last week 20 people were arrested on the suspicion of smuggling over 4-million dollars worth of drugs on a panga boat. According to Homeland Security, 13 out of the 20 suspects arrested are being criminally charged. Documents show, some of these people claim they were forced at gun point to move the drugs.
According to an affidavit from Homeland Security, 3 of the men were US citizens and the rest were Mexican nationals. Some of the suspects claimed they were approached by someone they didn't know and promised a good pay for a few hours of work. Others say they were forced at gun point and told if they didn't comply their families would be hurt.
The 13 suspects are accused of possession with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. The violation carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. According to Homeland Security 114-thousand pounds of drugs have been seized this year. Which is 4 times the amount in all of 2011.
