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Drug Stash Leads To Temporary Closure Of Santa Rosa Island At Channel Islands National Park

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A possible drug smuggling operation has led officials to close Santa Rosa Island at Channel Islands National Park for the near term/Derek Lohuis

Discovery of "numerous bundles of marijuana" on Santa Rosa Island at Channel Islands National Park off the California coast has led officials to temporary close the island to visitors.

Park officials say that on Tuesday federal and local law enforcement personnel recovered the marijuana, which is believed to be linked to a maritime smuggling attempt. The National Park Service worked in cooperation with these personnel to retrieve the contraband.

Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies are currently conducting aerial and ground searches on the roughly 53,000-acre Santa Rosa Island to determine if any suspects associated with the smuggling attempt are still at large on the island. In light of the ongoing law enforcement activity, the National Park Service has chosen to institute a temporary closure.

“This closure, while unfortunate, is necessary to protect the public from potential harm,” said Channel Islands Superintendent Russell Galipeau. “The National Park Service will reopen Santa Rosa Island as soon as the risk is mitigated.”

Park rangers searched for and recovered three campers on the island and transported them back to the mainland via National Park Service vessel. This closure will affect approximately 73 visitors who had trips booked this coming weekend on Island Packers, the park concessioner

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