New Defender Class Response Boat Would Be Used to Take Confiscated Panga Boats to Morro Bay for Disposal

During the past two years the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office has recovered 12 drug-smuggling panga boats that have landed along the North Coast, yet it does not have a way to safely and quickly remove the boats from the beach.

That's why it will ask county supervisors Tuesday to spend nearly $500,000 in federal grant funds to buy a new boat and other equipment to beef up the department's ability to deal with the persistent problem.

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