Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday that his state’s law enforcement agencies had seized a boat carrying suspected Haitian illegal immigrants with weapons and drugs.
DeSantis on Wednesday deployed 250 Florida National Guard and law enforcement officers to prevent a potential influx of illegal Haitian immigrants. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officials stopped the boat, which was traveling in a dangerous direction, the governor said. (Related: U.S. sends anti-terrorism force to Haiti as country descends into chaos under gang control)
“Florida Fish and Wildlife Officers have seized a boat carrying 25 illegal immigrants (possibly illegal immigrants) from Haiti. Inside their boats and vessels, they are carrying firearms, drugs, “He has night vision equipment and is operating his boat in a very reckless manner that could endanger others,” DeSantis said.
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The interception took place on February 29th at approximately 7:30 p.m. according to Go to FWC press release.
“Upon stopping the vessel, officers realized they had thwarted a human smuggling operation,” the press release said. “The operator of the boat was armed and on board. As he lay face down on the deck of the boat, he discovered 25 people, including five unaccompanied children, who were in the country illegally. In addition to the people who were arrested, officers also found firearms, night vision equipment, and drugs.”
Haiti is currently in turmoil, with violent gangs overrunning the capital and paralyzing infrastructure and cities. economic stability.
“For quite some time, the state of Florida has committed significant resources to combating illegal vessels coming to Florida from countries such as Haiti,” DeSantis said in the paper. statement on wednesday. “Given the situation in Haiti, I am directing the Office of Emergency Management, the Florida National Guard, and state law enforcement agencies to deploy more than 250 additional soldiers and soldiers, and more than a dozen aircraft and vessels to the south coast of Florida, to assist our nation. I have instructed you to protect the state.”
FWC did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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