Florida intercepts, turns over suspected Haitian illegals with weapons and drugs, authorities say

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Friday that Florida has interdicted suspected illegal aliens on a vessel. Authorities said the incident occurred at the Sebastian Inlet last month.

He said they were found with weapons, drugs and night-vision goggles, and that they were recklessly boating.

“They had firearms, they had drugs […] That vessel was interdicted [and] those illegal aliens were turned over to the Coast Guard for deportation,” the governor said.

According to the state, the incident occurred Feb. 29 near the Sebastian Inlet at 7:30 p.m. The vessel was 42 feet long, caught on a nighttime patrol by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers.

The incident involved five unaccompanied children, the state said.

Authorities said that the suspects were part of a “human smuggling operation,” and that the individuals were “lying prone on the deck of the boat.”

They discovered firearms, night vision gear and drugs, the state said Friday.

Authorities said that the operator and a passenger were U.S. citizens and were turned over to Brevard County authorities.

The case was referred to federal immigration authorities and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

The announcement comes shortly after the governor’s office had fact checked a claim that Florida agents “do nothing” on illegal migration.

“Vessels stopped are repatriated to country of origin,” said Bryan Griffin, communications director for DeSantis. “And if individuals are found swimming, they can be detained by Florida LEOs and relinquished to the Coast Guard for repatriation.”