Panga boat lands on Laguna shore; search continuing for occupants

LAGUNA BEACH (FOX 11 / CNS) - A panga boat believed to have been used in a human-smuggling operation landed in Laguna Beach Monday, but everyone inside ran off before authorities arrived at the scene.

The small boat came ashore in the Crystal Cove area sometime after 7 a.m. Various reports indicated that as many as a dozen people may have been aboard.

Laguna Beach police said the boat landing ``is believed to be a human smuggling event,'' and a search was continuing for the people who were aboard. Police deployed drones as part of the search effort.

The investigation was being handled by state parks authorities and the Border Patrol, police said.