PALM BEACH (CBSMiami/AP) — More than a dozen people were rounded up early Monday morning after their boat landed near Mar-a-Lago in what authorities have called a smuggling operation.
The 14 Haitians and single Bahamian who landed in Palm Beach County from a vessel were taken into custody by U.S. Border Patrol agents, according to a tweet from Chief Patrol Agent John Modlin.
READ MORE: COVID In Florida: 6,323 New Cases, 74 Deaths Reported On SaturdayREAD MORE: Annual Florida Keys Seven-Mile Bridge Run Staged With Coronavirus Protocols#BreakingNews. Early this morning, #BorderPatrol Agents along with support from state & federal partners responded to a maritime smuggling event that made landfall near Palm Beach #Florida. Currently, 15 foreign nationals are in federal custody. @PBCountySheriff @CBPFlorida pic.twitter.com/YmdPELOR73
— Chief Patrol Agent John R. Modlin (@USBPChiefMIP) November 15, 2020
After beaching the boat, they tried to run from authorities. Border Patrol agents and Palm Beach sheriff’s deputies searched the area and were able to find all of the boat’s occupants.
Modlin said the foreign nationals will be interviewed and then arrangements will be made for them to return to their countries.
More from CBSMiami.com
Miami Man Dies After Parachute Fails To Open While Skydiving
Record Number Of Invasive Pythons Removed From Florida Everglades
COVID Positivity Rate Spiking Across South Florida: ‘We Are Going Through The Surge Right Now’
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
