Law enforcement agencies on the Central and South Coast could be again be eligible for millions of dollars in funding to help cover the costs of dealing with drug smuggling boats.
Democratic Congressman Salud Carbajal had sought the allocation of $55 million dollars to cover local costs related to dealing with panga boats along the region’s coastline. The Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security did Carbajal even better than he had requested, putting $110 million dollars in the legislation for Operation Stonegarden, the border protection program. The funding was in jeopardy of being cut.
The funding is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Authorization Bill. The program reimburses local law enforcement for costs like overtime and vehicle maintenance on connection with panga smuggling investigations.