Up to 25 arrested in panga boat off Rancho Palos Verdes

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Authorities arrested 20 to 25 suspects aboard a panga boat off the coast of Rancho Palos Verdes on Monday morning, authorities said.

The 25-foot panga board, a fishing vessel often used by drug smugglers, was spotted about 5:50 a.m. 200 yards from Portuguese Bend, KTLA-TV Channel 5 reported. The boat was believed to be carrying 30 to 50 people.

The investigation involves the Long Beach police, L.A. County lifeguards, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Border Patrol.

A veteran member of the Coast Guard, Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne III, was killed Dec. 2 when his boat was struck by suspected smugglers aboard a panga boat near Santa Cruz Island. A memorial for Horne was held Sunday.

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(right) More suspects are detained. Credit: KTLA-TV, Channel 5