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Panga Boat landed on a Santa Barbara County Beach in 2021, Intercepted by Law Enforcement
A Mexican man was sentenced Monday to 110 months in federal prison for trafficking 11 undocumented individuals, as well as 45 pounds of methamphetamine, on a panga boat that landed on a Santa Barbara County beach.
Jorge Muñoz-Muñoz, 27, of Ensenada, Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer.
At the conclusion of a five-day trial in December 2022, a federal jury found Muñoz-Muñoz guilty of one count of conspiracy to bring aliens into the United States, 11 counts of alien smuggling, 11 counts of alien smuggling for private financial gain, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to import methamphetamine, and one count of importation of methamphetamine.
On the morning of September 27, 2021, law enforcement sighted a panga boat adrift off the coast of Santa Barbara County. The vessel, which was having engine trouble, ultimately made landfall at Arroyo Quemada Beach, approximately 25 miles west of Santa Barbara.
The investigation in this matter revealed that there were 15 people on the boat, including several crewmembers. Two black bags that contained a total of 40 vacuum-sealed and plastic wrapped bindles, totaling approximately 45 pounds, were thrown off the boat by passengers at Muñoz-Muñoz’s direction and later were recovered by law enforcement.
Authorities also later confirmed that all occupants of the boat were undocumented aliens. Based on interviews with the passengers, it was determined that the passengers arrived at a beach in Ensenada, Mexico to board a panga that would smuggle them into the United States for a price of approximately $15,000 each.
On July 6, Judge Fischer ordered Muñoz-Muñoz acquitted of one count of aiding and assisting an alien convicted of an aggravated felony to enter the United States.
Muñoz-Muñoz has been in federal custody since his arrest in September 2021.
Roel Aranzubia-Álvarez, 45, of Sinaloa, Mexico, the panga boat’s captain, was convicted at trial with Muñoz-Muñoz of alien smuggling charges in this case and was sentenced to five years in federal prison.
Another defendant and panga boat crewmember, Caín Camargo-López, 46, of Sinaloa, Mexico, pleaded guilty in April 2022 to two counts of alien smuggling and one count of conspiring to allow an alien convicted to aggravated felonies to enter the United States. On August 7, Judge Fischer sentenced Camargo-López to five years in federal prison.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated this matter. United States Customs and Border Protection, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation provided substantial assistance.
Assistant United States Attorney Haoxiaohan Cai of the General Crimes Section and Justice Department Trial Attorney Siobhan M. Namazi prosecuted this case.
Related Articles
September 27, 2022: Panga Boat and Passengers Apprehended North of Goleta
December 21, 2022: Guilty Verdict for Mexican Nationals Smuggling Drugs and Humans North of Goleta
Wow – the Magat troll farm is really out in force today. You just need voice in here to make the cesspool overflow.
Golly Judge Fisher, 110 months (9 years). Why so “harsh” a sentence? 9 minus 2 years time served already. It was only 45 pounds of meth and 11 illegals Munoz was convicted of smuggling into the US. Not to mention Munoz was also convicted of distribution, conspiracy and importation for distribution and financial gain. It’s not like the boy murdered anyone. Alvarez gets 5 years? As you know Judge, half the people on a cruise ship probably could have been charged with some of the drug charges due to the quantity of meth confiscated:) What happened to the other people also on the boat but apparently not charged/convicted? Were they given a Notice To Appear to start their immigration proceedings and released into sunny CA? Unless someone can show what I missed, IMO, this is truly a disgusting disposition.
Don’t worry, DOULIE. You can always move to Texas and become a cop so you can personally arrest (and whatever else you deem is necessary to subdue them….. wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more) immigrants all you want! Heck, I bet they even let y’all ride a horse and lasso them varmints!
If I were you (or all your other pals here), I’d be high-tailing it to the Lone Star State after stopping at Walmart to arm up against those pesky fellas! Yipee Ki Ay!
Wall Mart hasn’t sold a gun or ammo since Sherell Crow’s song.
Well that’s just not true at all. You even check your facts before spewing lies?
“Items We Sell
Walmart sells long guns for hunting and sport shooting, including shotguns, single-shot hunting rifles and light sporting rifles, as well as BB and pellet guns.” https://corporate.walmart.com/policies
Wallmart-In years prior, we ended sales of modern sporting rifles, including the AR-15. Most recently, in September 2019, we decided to no longer sell the ammunition that can be used in large capacity magazines on military-style weapons, which we do not sell. We also made a complete exit from handgun sales.
tnky – Yeah, but they DO sell “long guns for hunting and sport shooting, including shotguns, single-shot hunting rifles and light sporting rifles” – once again, look at their policy.
So, no your claim that “Wall Mart hasn’t sold a gun or ammo since Sherell Crow’s song” is still absolutely, 100% wrong.
LOL nice try hahahaha!!
In other words, your statement is false … they have sold guns and ammo, but not the types mentioned.
And it’s Sheryl. (I know, I know, I’m a smarty pants … i.e., someone who isn’t an uneducated ignoramus.)
Sorry- I did not know the spelling even though I had the CD.
It’s not a “dissenting opinion,” it’s just factually WRONG to say Walmart “hasn’t sold a gun or ammo since Sherell Crow’s song.”
And no, you don’t get to backpedal now and say “in California,” you said “Walmart “hasn’t sold a gun or ammo,” period.
And no, it has nothing to do with “the actual guns you are afraid” – you said “a gun or ammo,” period. I never said anything about any type of guns, I just said “after stopping at Walmart to arm up.” Rifles and shotguns are guns, period.
You’re just wrong, no way about it. You can walk it back and make up new things all you want, but your comment, the one I was and am replying to is WRONG.
Mexico didn’t fund the sea wall
Your not even funny when you try.
Another selfie.
How thoughtful of you.
Wait, so I’m a monkey with cymbals or Homer?
“Your not even funny when you try” Real solid comeback from a grown man – stay off the street.
Haha, I think it’s funny.
You did ask a valid question though, Doulie. When considering this guy’s sentence, think about the fact that he was at the behest of the cartels most likely. It’s not like Munoz was running a solo operation with that much meth. It’s also possible he did not volunteer to do this. Many of the drug runners are paying off debt or trying to keep their families from being killed. Not saying that’s what happened here necessarily, but it’s not uncommon and is taken into consideration during the sentencing phase of the trial. Also, possible he entered a plea deal to get info on his bosses.
If this guy was the mastermind behind this scale of an operation, he’d be doing more time I’m pretty sure.
More buffoonery and hypocrisy from the progressive woke. Ya, I guess 5k/day entering illegally isn’t enough? That’s right, thousands from not only south of the border, but Mali, Senegal, Ghana, China. Thousands of males, military age, no food, no money, no place to live. What could go wrong? Then, set them free to roam the streets and commit crimes and hope they show up years from now for their immigration status to be adjudicated.
Seriously, ever travel to the EU? Visa requirements are; $8-10k in the bank, health clearance, criminal background and NO intentions in staying!
And we wonder why our schools are in such bad shape, one administrator cited 20 languages spoken in his school!
Yes, this is a scam perpetrated on the American public, allowing millions to change our fabric for ever. Pushing their woke ideology, controlling our way of life and a PERMANENT political majority. If you resist, they viscously play the race card (Alinsky Rule#12).
Backlash coming, don’t worry.
What about
“one administrator cited 20 languages” Which school? What state and county? I love when low information trolls parrot garbage.
Meanwhile.. the extremist right is refusing to fund border agents and border security.
That’s not what’s happening, you’re biases new sources are deceiving you.
Every single one of VOR’s accusations over the years has been a confession.
https://www.thirdway.org/blog/republican-efforts-to-defund-border-security
https://americasvoice.org/blog/the-number-of-times-republicans-blocked-pro-immigrant-bills-since-tanking-2013s-comprehensive-immigration-reform-package/
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-real-reason-why-the-house-wont-pass-comprehensive-immigration-reform/
1) I’m not a republican. 2) You cite a bunch of opinion pieces from left-leaning sources, one of which has it’s “Priority goal: win reforms that put 11 million undocumented [i.e. they broke the law to be here] Americans on a path to full citizenship.”. If I pulled up similarly biases sources Sac’s head would spin. Oh, but that’s right, bias from one side is acceptable and totally trustworthy, it’s only that other side…
“I’m not a republican” – No one said you were. To say you’re not conservative would be an outright lie, though.
That should literally be classed as voter fraud.
They are trying to create more voters for the leftist bloc and they want to talk about voter fraud from the right?
The liberals have been doing it for years
Democrats: Introduce “Save The Puppies Bill”, which includes tens of billions of dollars being sent to other countries that has nothing to do with puppies.
Republicans: “We’re not going to vote that into law with all the other stuff in it”.
Democrats: “The extremist right wants all puppies to die!”
That happens both ways and you know it.
whatabout whatabout whatabout whatabout (am I doing it right Sac)?
No, Voice, you did not. That’s not at all how it works. Alex and I both pointing out that it’s extremely dishonest to suggest this is done by the Dems only. I’d say “nice try” but it really wasn’t.
1) that is EXACTLY how it works 2) I didn’t say only one side did it 3) that comment was specific to the very misguided comment from Anon.
1) Nope. 2) Yeah, your track record proves otherwise. 3) So what?
LOL, Voice.
It’s (R)really (R)ridiculous how you continually (R)ationalize your (R)ejection of the fact that that both pa(R)ties are co(R)(R)upt.
I wonde(R) why you a(R)e so biased?
I have never rejected the fact that both parties are corrupt, and am one of the few here to actually acknowledge that.
“one of the few here….” – no you’re not. Both myself and Alex said the same exact thing.
Reality shouldn’t be something you refuse to visit, like a distant relative. Reality should be were you are present, at least most of the time.
Whataboutism is when you respond to an accusation that Republicans did something negative by deflecting to assertion that it was Dems who did something negative … like you did here.
DALGORF – excellent point. Can’t believe I missed that!
Of course Voice did. It’ really his only tactic, aside from the Motte and Bailey. This is why I cannot use his full “name.” To call him that would be an affront to all things logical and reasonable.
VOR this is ridiculous AF and you know it. Both parties introduce bills with absolutely ridiculous names which are stuffed with pork. Have you heard of the Untied States of America? Well that’s how things work here.
I agree 100% Alex, it is ridiculous AF and both parties do it. I think we should mandate single issue bills and drastically cut the pork. But my specificity on party with that comment was directly related Annons BS about the extremists right refusing to fund border security. It’s concerning people say write that and believe what they’re writing.
This is exactly backwards. The House Republicans inserted extremist and unconstitutional restrictions on amnesty into the bill funding help for Israel and Ukraine.
Mike Godwin, of Godwin’s Law, came up with a second law referring to the word “woke” and it’s quite accurate: https://x.com/sfmnemonic/status/1504687870006620163
I’m one corner, we have the crowd who are sensible when it comes to dealing with illegal immigration and the crimes it causes.
In the other corner we have the silly leftists who won’t see what’s wrong till their windows are being broken and their houses are robbed. Then they will cry “who would do such a thing?”
Illegal immigrants are breaking windows and robbing houses now? Where? When?
Oops…. I meant “breaking windows and robbings houses around here now?”
Dead serious, Stoner. Tell us when an illegale immigrant broke into a house around here.
I get Nextdoor alerts all the time. Haven’t seen any about illegal immigrants breaking into homes in the area. I have, though, seen an interesting post about a brown and green camo colored open vehicle…… LOL
I can guarantee you, “stoner,” I have plenty locked and protected by a real alarm system. Ring is for kids.
I knew eventually you would post a selfie.
Actually statistics on crime show the illegal immigrants are on the lower end of perpetrators; Worry about your fellow Americans first, they are more likely to rip you off.
Alex – you know they can’t handle verifiable facts, don’t tease LOL
This is a fact. Thank you Alex.
People calling this a fact, but without a source it’s just an opinion.
Care to cite those statistics?
“Care to cite those statistics?” – You’re the LAST person here, besides Voice, to be demanding backing of any claims. You know that.
But, since proving you wrong is so much fun, here you go….
“The study found that undocumented immigrants had substantially lower crime rates than native-born citizens and legal immigrants across a range of felony offenses.” (https://www.ojp.gov/library/publications/comparing-crime-rates-between-undocumented-immigrants-legal-immigrants-and)
“a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA that draws from a detailed and well-sourced data set comes to an even more dramatic conclusion. It reports that between 2012 and 2018, compared with their U.S.-born neighbors, undocumented immigrants in Texas were less than half as likely to be arrested for violent crimes or drug offenses and LESS THAN A QUARTER as likely to be arrested for PROPERTY CRIMES (like breaking windows and robbing houses).” – emphasis added. (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/undocumented-immigrants-are-half-as-likely-to-be-arrested-for-violent-crimes-as-u-s-born-citizens/)
Here’s the study if you want to bother reading it: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2014704117 – See “Relative to undocumented immigrants, US-born citizens are over 2 times more likely to be arrested for violent crimes, 2.5 times more likely to be arrested for drug crimes, and over 4 times more likely to be arrested for property crimes.”
“There is more and more evidence that immigrants, regardless of legal status, are less likely to commit crimes than native‐born Americans.” (https://www.cato.org/blog/new-research-illegal-immigration-crime-0)
So, yeah…….
LOL, SBStoner, nope, I don’t care to cite anything at all. If you are so very concerned about the issue I’m sure you’ll look into it on your own.
Oh, but you won’t.
The weak minded are so easy to spot in a public forum these days. The reason that Trump is currently using NAZl rhetoric, threatening to exterminate certain people, is to turn Americans against each other. It’s designed to make Americans think they need a “strong man” to save the country, not laws, the judicial system, Congress, or anything else. Only Trump is needed and a temporary dictatorship to save everyone. A wise man once said, “It’s easier to fool someone than to convince them they have been fooled”.
Good analysis. There are several in-depth journalistic articles on this from reputable sources that were released recently.
SBTONER – come on pal, where’s these Nextdoor articles about illegal immigrants breaking into homes around here?
This comment is based in hyperbole and not facts.
gotta say that’s pretty funny “saint sac” call’n out Capt’n Doc’s callout 🙂
“Yeah Sac, we’re the ones who are all dragging YOU down to the sewer – total BS. You’re a solid hypocrite.”
sweet!
Saint Sac, indeed! LOL!
Whoop, add 20 Lbs to that number. Enough meth for the whole county to get some.
And we are supposed to believe he wasn’t going to use the “migrants” to distribute it 😁
What does this have to do with gang members in the US?
You sure are chatty, so how about you tell us what the “common denominator” was that you were so excited and proud of yourself about?
“I will not agree that a higher amount of undocumented people entering the country does not lead to a higher crime rate” – who tf cares? It’s a fact, whether you “agree” or not.
.
Sybil-Nice try at shutting down a dissenting opinion EDHAT.
Walmart hasn’t sold guns and ammo in California for at least 3+ years and the actual guns you are afraid of that was mentioned in Sheryl Crow’s song, at least 10 years ago.
“Walmart hasn’t sold ….. the actual guns you are afraid of that was mentioned in Sheryl Crow’s song, at least 10 years ago.”
“In 2015, Walmart ended sales of modern sporting rifles, including the AR-15. We also do not sell handguns,” (https://corporate.walmart.com/news/2018/02/28/walmart-statement-on-firearms-policy)
“At least 10 years ago…..” BWAHAHA!
LOL do you even know what year it is? Your lies are so flagrant and blatant. Are you OK? Are you sober? Crap….. are you simple? If so, I now feel kind of bad for taking you to task….
I enjoy this.
You can never win because your perspective is flawed.
Your a great little commie solder on a site like EDHAT but that doesn’t mean you actually know anything that hasn’t been fed to you by your own confirmation bias.
I would say that you GT and about three others drive 99% of the conflict here.
All conformation bias for clicks.
SAD
Actually it’s almost ALL Sac and GT driving it. They’re bored?
Yep
TNKY – “You can never win because your perspective is flawed.” – No, it’s just that you are 100% wrong.
Hey, I’ve got an idea/slogan for a few mass posters here:
“SHUT UP AND VOTE”
Yeah, we do. That’s why you Cons are always crying here
You misread. Try again.
LOL 🤣
No, didn’t miss at all. You said, “SHUT UP AND VOTE.”
I said we do vote. Done.
No, really, you again misread – reread the first part. Get it? No? Didn’t think so.
Captain Obsessed sails again.
Oh wait… I see now… The “first part,” right? When you said “Hey, I’ve got an idea/slogan for a few mass posters here:” then it TOTALLY changes everything…. LOL. Not.
Funny how you backpedal and then attempt to gaslight whenever you get called out for making no sense.
Sac/Alex, no the first part of “Shut up and vote” is shut up. And that goes for both side for sure. Got it? I think we’re all tiring of those like you trying to convince the ‘other side’ that they’re wrong. Who cares? You’re not going to convince anyone here on Edhat to change their vote come next year so please save it. You’ll be happier too in the long run. That’s all I was getting at. Sorry if it didn’t make sense.
Basic – they are so sure that anyone with a dissenting opinion is wrong that they believe it themselves.
They couldn’t admit that an issue is multifaceted because it would go against the “my way is the right way” opinion that they have been brainwashed into holding.
SBMoaner, I really, really enjoy how angry you are. Thank you for entertaining me.
All you said was shut up and vote. We did. You’re making it a thing now that doesn’t exist. Got it? Nah, of course you don’t.
Wait, so “”Shut up” applies to “both sides” but not to you? You think I’m trying to convince you or anyone else they are wrong? BAHAHAHAHAHHA!!!
I’m here to troll and trigger. I’ve stated that repeatedly. And Captain Triggered Again comes back full steam every time.