LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE (FOUO) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, National Park Service IMARS Incident details | Incident NP16192139 | Incident details: Report no. NP16192138 Incidont Type: Law Enforcement Incident te: 4012512016 08:48 - Reported time: 1027/2016 16.08 Place of incident: SANTA BARBARA CA USA (SRI BACKCOUNTRY SHORELINE) (Region PWR, Siale/Zone: CA, Area: CHIS, Site: SANTAROSAISLAND) Glearance status’ Closed - Incident only Goncluded: No Concluded date: ‘Summary Iagal drug smuggling activity Sandy Point, Santa Rosa Ieland Remarks: Associated incidents: Involved persons: Involved addresses: » Incident address /, California, USA (SRI BACKCOUNTRY SHORELINE) (Region: PWR, State/Zone: CA, Area: CHIS, Site: SANTAROSAISLAND) Involved comm addresses: Involved vehicles: Involved officers: » Assisting officer / 9 / WILLIAMS, I. / NPS / 10/27/2016 / 20161027 ~~ » Supervising officer / 9 / POULSON, T. / NPS / 10/27/2016 / 20161027 + Assisting offcer 9 / COLE, M. #38 / NPS/ Police Officer / NPS CHIS / #CR9B HNAT. M. / 1027/2016 / 20161027. » Assisting offer / 9/ THIE, T./ #1998 /NPS / Police Officer / NPS CHIS / #99 COLE, M. / 1027/2016 / 20161027 + Reporting officer /8 / CUEVAS, L. / NPS / 102712016 / 20161027 ~ Involved property: » Marijuana - processed / Found / 2800 Ib Modus operandi: Reports: General report: Incident: NP16182139 Law Enforcement @ 10/27/2018 16 06 (SANTA BARBARA CA USA (SRI LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE (FOUO) Printed by: 38 Date: 09/11/2020 10:15 Computer: INPCHIS131862 Page 1 of 11LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE (FOUO) BACKCOUNTRY SHORELINE) (Region: PWR, State/Zone: CA, Area: CHIS, Site: SANTAROSAISLAND)) (liegal drug smuggling activity Sandy Point, Santa Rosa island) Tesk: 160480592 [No type - Closed] Due: 12/26/2016 10:26 CUEVAS, L. >CUEVAS, L [Low] NP16192139 Law Enforcement @ 10/27/2016 1608 (SANTA BARBARA CA USA (SRI BACKCOUNTRY SHORELINE) (Region: PWR, State/Zone: CA, Area: CHIS, Ste: ‘SANTAROSAISLAND) (legal dru Autnor —-CUEVAS, LOURDES @EKNMEKBIME «Report ime: 14/04/2016 17:21 (Wis_cusvas@nps.gov) Entorod by: CUEVAS LOURDES MEKENONETIA ——_Entored time: 110412016 1721 (uiis_cuevas@nps.gov) Romarks Naratve: SUMMARY: On Tuesday, October 25, 2016, Chief Ranger Travis Poulson was contacted by USCG to inform the park that a law ‘enforcement operation was about to commence on Santa Rosa Island. USCG hat received rug smuggling transfer had taken place and that drugs, and potentially, «suspect were on several recon fights by C3P, HS, and USCG, at approsimately 1114 hours, over 2,800 Iks of marijuana, packaged in 44 bales, was located cn the west end of Sante Rosa island, ‘The island was ordered closed tothe public and all vistors and employees were evacuated while a search took place to locate @ potential suspect associated with the cache on the island. A mult agency operation involving USCG, NPS, CBP, HS, LA BEST, and others, conducted aerial and ground searches ofthe island over a5 day neriod in an attempt to locate a suspect that was reportedly left onthe island to guard the marjuana lead. Aerial and ground searehes found no sign of anyone on the Island. Searchas consisted of low level recon fights by CBP helicopters, NPS contract helicopters with LE Rangers on board, HSI ‘eed wing aircraft, and CaP FUR fights [After 8 days of search operations no evidence of anyone was found, Santa Rose Island was epened to employees and the public on Wednesday, November 2, 2016. INCIDENT DETAILS: Santa Res island is located 26 miles off the coast of Santa Garba, Cliforna, i 83 square miles (53,195 acres) ands the second largest of the channel islands of Calfornia. The island is staffed year round by NPS personnel and is open to the public year round. Monday, 10/24/16: During aerial recon fight of sands, USCG observed and recovered 4 fuel containers from an area near Lobo Canyon and Carrington: 38 01.5, 120.04.4 W. The Chief Rangers office was notified by MECS PERDUTES USCG Sector Las Angeles, (BJ(TME) =f. t0 inform the park they had recovered the containers. The Containers were partially ful, with mixed fuel, and consisted of two lage blue plastic drums and 2 smaller 5 fallon containers. It appeared they had washed up on shore, not staged purposely. USCG contacted the parcto inform that they had been removed from the island and there was no need to follow up, Tuesday, 10/25/16: ‘AL 0848 hours, Chief Ranger Travis Poulson received a call from USCS Lieutenant IENISEBIEH to inform the park that law enforcement operations ware starting up an Santa Rosa Isiand based on intelligence they had receved thata load of maruane had been dropped off on SRl and possibly one incvidual was also loft withthe load to guard it Chief Ranger Tavis Poulson took NPS command ofthe incident at CHIS Headquarters and coc {USCG, Dept Homeland Security (HS), andl Customs and Border Prozection (CBP) ted with er USCG, they contacted Sequoia Dispatch (SEK! Dispatch on Monday, 10/24 at 1600 hours, to askif the park had any personnel on Santa Rasa Island, SEX Dispatch stated (Incorectiy that no one was on SAI. USCS did not state any details tothe dispatcher and therefore the dispatcher Gid net contact anyone else atthe park. The LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE (FOUO) Printed by: 38 Date: 09/11/2020 10:15 Computer: INPCHIS131862 Page 2 of 17LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE (FOUO) Island was infact staffed with maintenance and natura resources personnel. LABEST conducted aerial searches of Santa Rosa lslandin attempts to locate persons or drugs staged on the island CCHIS ICP determined what employees were on island: (B){E)HO)ITCH (W) THEY Parkcrew transport vessel Ocean Ranger, with a crew of two (boat captain MRI, and deckhandIRSIHS), was en route to Santa Rosa Island with maintenance employee HELIN) on board to exchange perscnel for the week. The three employees on Santa Rosa Island were scheduled to depart that day andpUBPlEY was scheduled to staff the island, The Ocean Ranger route forthe day was: Ventura Heedquerters, to Santa Rosa ‘sand, to Santa Cruz Island, to Prisoners, to Anacapa \sland, to Ventura Headquarters After discussion and briefing with the Park Superintendant, the decision was made to evacuate all employees and vistors from the island twas determined that there were backcountry campers on the island: 2 beach camping permits, total 3 people 18) (6), @)7KC) all scheduled to return Friday 10/28/15. Concassionare Island Packers (}PCO) was scheduled to drop off 72 people cn 20/28 (20 day, 52 camp), they were contacted and informed the Island would be closed to the puble untl the incident was completed al transportation to the island was cancelled ‘Truth Vessel Conception was contacted by MIM on Sante Rosa Island, Bechers Bay, when they were bringing ashore 20 vistors asthe land personnel were being Informed that they would be evacuated. pam Instructed the group to go no further than the pler. ‘ns 1114 hours, HS! personnel contacted the Chler Ranger thet a large” load of marijuana was found on the west tend of Santa Rosa island: 33 $9.18, 120 12.36 Sandy Point, onthe south side ofthe westernmost point. The load of marlluana was organized and staged on the beach, n large black sultcases taped to withstand handling covered by a large tarp. Later information from USCG Intelligence determined total weight was 2,800 Ibs, in 44 containers, 50-75 pounds each. (ISBN, USCG LE Chet, nd pRSmUMEAmI (USCC Intel contacted Chie Ranger Travis Poulson to Inform that the marjuana cache on the sland was Hkely elated to an abandoned panga that had been located at Mariposa Reina (a beach no:th ofthe cty of Santa Barbera) on Sunday, 10/23. ‘Additional calls and conversations between Travis Poulson and IPERIMESDIOI (Hi), (B}(7KON GHEE) HSI requested assistance f-om the park with a boat with large capacity to transport the product to shore. At 11:40 pi, Ocean Ranger captain was contacted, the Ocean Ranger was diverted from its assigned ‘vansportaton route tothe west end of Santa Rosa for the operation and was ‘structed to stage Ue vessel unt further instrvetions (Meemim@ located and contacted 3 camper in the Water Canyon Campground and instructed him to stayin the ‘campground until contacted by an NPS employee. Later the camper was instructed to packand he was ‘tansported to Ventura Headquarters on the park bost. The other two cempers would have tobe located anc ‘evacuated by LE Rangers [At approximately 1350 hours, CHIS Superintendent orders evacuation of islanc and closure to the publi. ‘At 1420 hours, the Ocean Ranger was ordered to stand down. The Ocean Ranger departed Sandy Point and returned te Bechers Bay for employee transfer, RMIIBIG) was dropped of, (6) CO} IB)ITKCY 1 were transported to Ventura 1230 Travis Poulson contacted PUBMIPIAY, USCG LE Chief for undate: marijuana cache was being transported by (CBP helicopter off te island. (6) (7D), (OIITNED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE (FOUO) Printed by: 3 Date: 09/11/2020 10:15 Computer: INPCHIS131862 Page 3 of 11LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE (FOUO) 1250 first load of mariuana was removed from SAl and delivered to Sente Barbara by helicopter, adeitional loads would be flown, Several Special ents on the ground searched the area where the load wat staged and reported thay saw footprints lezding to “fie road and then disappeared inthe hardpan. They als estimated the total marjuana to be 1-1.5 tons. Later that day, CHIS ICP was informed that at 0730 the following morning, Wednesday 10/26, a Bleck Hawk helicopter with FLIR will fy SRI and conduct an aerial search. ‘CHIS LE Rangers Mike Cole and Tim Thle, both on leu days, were contacted to return to duty. At 1440 a briefing with Mike Cole and Tim Thie was conducted at CHS park heacquarters, they were scheduled for light with Aspen Helicopters at 1600. Their assignment was to locate backcountry campers and after landing return to ‘contact them and drve them to park housing. (O)(7KE) At 1500 a briefing was conducted by Chi Ranger Poulson (\C) and Supervisory Ranger Cuevas (Operations) with park Superintendent Russell Galipeau who was updeted on the current plan: LE Rangers Mike Cole and Tim Thie b) (7)(E) [At 1712 hours, Aspen helicopter with Cole and Thie landed on SRI, (BJ THE Cole and Thie debriefed with HSI agents onthe ground (Crew: (B){B)O)(7XCHND/ THE) BP ship 2 pilots and 2 crewh: They reported they found nothing definitive, (B) (NEY Wednesday, 10/26/16: _Ag 1615 hours, Superintendent ordered an offical continued closure of SRI unt the weekend. Press releases were sent out, {Channel siands Aviation, stand Packers, an California State University Channel stands (CSUCI Fete Station staff were notified ofthe closure. Swoerintendent raquestad 2 plan to mitigate risk: LE Ranger lan Willams was brought backin sevice and was assigned to write rsk assessment planto teapen island atthe conclusion ofthe incident Thie and Cole (OYAANED Thursday, 10/27/36: CCHS Chief Ranger Poulson requested assistance from Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Aves (SAMO) ‘with additional LE resources to goto SR to search ater Friday and through the weekend. SAMO Chief Ranger later responded they hac no one available Reserve America was contacted to cancel and refund all camping reservations through the week and weekend, ‘CHIS Dispatch contacted all Backcountry/beach camping permit holders, To eliminate any footprints or tracks that may have been present prior tothe incident, CHIS Operations contacted CSUCI Field Station sistant Manager BUBEBNTNG) for information on when thelr students were at Sandy Point: MBP reported thet they had 2 group of 4 students out on 10/15 at Sandy Point to colect beach dobyis, they also were at Tecolete Canyon, Soledad, Pocket Feld, Ors Camp and Twin Peaks Road on that same iy. Debrief at end of operational period with Thie and Cole: no significant sign was located except fora small rock LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE (FOUO) Printed by: 39 Date: 09/11/2020 10:15 Computer: INPCHIS121882 Page 4 of 11LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE (FOUO) caltn at the edge ofthe road at Pocket Fel, IC? would follow uo wit park employees to determine if an ‘employee built it. They investigated the ste of the marijuana cache and located a large purple-gray tarp, 6x 50/, and one water bottle with Spanish writing on it. The tems were photographed and the location recorded. Friday, 20/28/36: Bulfing with Rangers ian Willams, Merill McCauley, Travis Poulson, Ls Cuevas: A FUR fight was requested {20 CBP. (0) (EME) > eeu EEE ETE. Mondey operations plan wl Include) (KEY us. Thegoalisto reopen the land on Tuesday and slow NPS employees ad vistors sccon land by Wednesday 33/2. ‘Approximately 12:30 hours, LE Rangers Cole anc Thie were exricated from SRI by Patrol Boat 6 with McCauley. and transported to ventura Headquarters for debrief 1440 Debrief with: The, Cole, RENN (CHIS Maintenance}, Park Superimandent, Cuevas, Willams, Chief Ranger Poulson: The only sign found so far was at the cache site, one water bottle with Spanish writing/label, a large tarp. The L crew fe! W)C2NE)i(D) (5) NNN Area covered ~(BYCZHEN a Tey feel that her's OHNE ON ‘MEA (HSI) was unable to conduct a FLIR search of Santa Rosa Island due to a higher priority mission. ‘Saturday, 10/29/16: Sunday, 10/30/16: Low level reconnalssance flight with USCG, LE Ranger McCauley on board, was scheduled for 22-hour fights. “The flight wes cancelled due to USCG helicopter being diverted fora SAR. ACamera Fight was conducted by C3P, they reported no significant Findings. No FLIR units are avallabe to fy ‘sR Sunday, ‘Monday, 10/31/16: LE Rangers Thie and Willams were transported to SRI via Aspen Helicopters. They conducted (S)(7HE) NN IC (Chief Ranger informed Superintendent that CBP denied the request for an adeltional FLIR Fight. CBP LA olfice, and San Diego Office informed Chief Ranger that thay do not bellave a suspect ison the sland and if there hac been someone, he was lite picked up by now. The decision is made to reopen island to employees and the public by Wednesday f nothing detected in today's fight and Tuesday's fight. Tuesday, 19/2/36: LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE (FOUO) Printed by: 39 Date: 09/11/2020 10:15 Computer: INPCHIS131882 Page 5 of 11LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE (FOUO) 0800 hours, MeCauley on board USCG helcopter fo an aerial survey and search ofthe (B)C7NED ‘Saw no signs, few entire island, Did not land Park vessel Ocean Ranger cancelled for Tuesday. All impacted employees were notified. Rescheduled for Wednesday 11/2 to transport employees back to their duty stations ance the island was cleared and panto the publi. LE units Thie and Willams, conducted a limited ground search, focusing on (B)CPKED ‘ho sign found. (RYOWRAIME) flew a fox telemetry fight late atternoan, approximately 1700, he reported no unusual sightings. (CBP contacted Ranger McCauley to inform him they were about to conduct a FLIR ight of SAl around 1600. Thie was contacted at approximately 1645 by C8P to inform him they saw nothing and would continue thelr ight on their way out of the area. They covered (O)(7MEY “They did not see any signs of anyone else being onthe island. Wednesday, 13/2/26: Based on operational risk management principles, and with mitigation in place since the inital report ofthe drug smuggling incident, Santa Rosa Island waas officially opened Wednesday, 11/2 and incident considered concluded. LE Rangers Tie and Willams were demoed from SR END OF REPORT Ext. doc. oce report [PNG, 529.13 KB]: Incident” NP16182139 Law Enforcement @10/27/2016 16:06 (SANTA BARBARA CA USA (SRI BACKCOUNTRY SHORELINE) (Region: PWR, SlatelZone: CA, Area: CHIS, Site: ‘SANTAROSAISLAND)) legal drug smuggling activity Sandy Point, Santa Rosa Island) Task: Author CUEVAS, LOURDES pumsmmoumn mi) Report time: 1111/2018 15:23 (uls_cuevas@nps.gov) Entered by: CUEVAS, LOURDES PHEL@/@XCL (TH Entered time: 11/14/2018 18:23 (lulis_cuevas@nps gov) Person: Address: Vehicle: Officer: Remarks: Ext. doc. occ report [PNG, 635.39 KB]: incident: NP16192130 Law Enforcement @ 10/27/2016 16:06 (SANTA BARBARA CA USA (SRI BACKCOUNTRY SHORELINE) (Region: PVR, Stale/Zone: CA, Area: CHIS, Site: SANTAROSAISLAND)) (legal drug smugaiing activity Sandy Point, Santa Rosa Island) Task: Author CUEVAS, LOURDES. i Report time: 11/14/2016 1526 (luis_cuevas@rps.gov) Entered by: CUEVAS, LOURDES: i Entered time: 1114/2016 1526 (uls_cuevas@rps.gov) Person: Address: Vehicle: Officer: Remarks: Ext. doc. occ report [DOC, 8.92 MB]: . on Incident: NP16192139 Law Enforcement @ 10/27/2016 16:06 (SANTA BARBARA CA USA (SRT BACKCOUNTRY SHORELINE) (Region: PWR, Stale/Zone: CA, Area: CHIS, Site: SANTAROSAISLAND)) (Illegal drug smuggling activity Sandy Point, Santa Rosa Island) Task: Author: CUEVAS, LOURDES MIBEIICHO}M Report time: 11/14/2016 18:31 (luls_cuevas@nps gov) Enlered by: CUEVAS, LOURDES rr Entered time: 11/14/2016 15:31 (uls_cuevas@nps gov) LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE (FOUO) Printed by: 38 Date: 09/11/2020 10:18 Computer: INPCHIS131882 Page 6 of 11LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE (FOUO) Person: Address: Vehicle: Officer: Remarks: Ext. doc. occ report [DOC, 2.56 MB]: _. Inckient’ - NP'16192139 Law Enforcement @ 10/27/2016 16:06 (SANTA BARBARA CAUSA (SRI BACKCOUNTRY SHORELINE) (Region: PWR, State/Zone: CA, Area: CHIS, Site SANTAROSAISLAND)) (legal drug smuggling activity Sandy Point, Santa Rosa Island) Task: Author CUEVAS, LOURDES BIBKENIICHB) Report time: 11/142016 15:95 (lus_cuevas@nps.gov) Entored by: CUEVAS, LOURDES BIEHENEHE) DF) Entored time: 11/14/2016 15:35 (ulis_cuevas@nps.gov) Person: Address: Vehicle: Officer: Remarks: Ext. doe, oce report [DOCX, 450.59 KB]: Incident’ NP16192139 Law Enforcomont @ 10/27/2016 16:06 (SANTA BARBARA CAUSA (SRI BACKCOUNTRY SHORELINE) (Region: PWR, StatelZone: CA, Area: CHIS, Site: SANTAROSAISLAND)) liegal drug smuggling activity Sandy Point, Santa Rosa Isiand) Task Author CUEVAS, LOURDES psiaxonet¥) Report time: 11/6/2016 18:32 (uiis_cuevas@nps.gov) Entered by: | CUEVAS, LOURDES PuSERIMNCKPITH Entered time: 1111612016 18:32 (uiis_cuevas@nps.gov) Person: Address: Vehicle: Officer: Remarks: Ext. doc. occ report [DOCK, 14.13 KB]: incklent NP16192139 Law Enforcement @10/27/2016 16:06 (SANTA BARBARA CA USA (SRI BACKCOUNTRY SHORELINE) (Region: PWR, State/Zone: CA, Area: CHIS, Site: ‘SANTAROSAISLAND)) (legal drug smuggling activity Sandy Point, Santa Rosa Istand) Task: ‘Author: CUEVAS, LOURDES ROHN) Report time: 111162016 18:18 (ulis_cuevas@nps.gov) Entered by: CUEVAS, LOURDES @/6i@) x23) Entored time: 111162016 18:18 (uls_cuevas@nps.gov) Person: Address: Vehicle: Officer: Remarks: Ext. doc. oce report [DOCK, 14.45 KB]: _ Incident: NP16192139 Law Enforcement @ 10/27/2016 16:06 (SANTA BARBARA CA USA (SRI BACKCOUNTRY SHORELINE) (Region: PWR, State/Zone: CA, Area: CHIS, Site: 'SANTAROSAISLAND) (llega drug smuggling actly Sandy Point, Santa Rosa stand) Task: Autor CUEVAS LOURDES BURRAMESURRY Report time: 11/16/2018 16:29 (uis_cuevas@nps.gov) Entered by: CUEVAS, LOURDES ®)/BHPIICHION Entered time: 111162018 16:28 (luls_cuevas@nps.gov) Person: Address: Vehicte: Officer: Remarks: LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE (FOUO) Printed by: 38 Date: 09/11/2020 10:15 Computer: INPCHIS131882 Page 7 of 11