Eleven people were apprehended near Palm City, Florida, many of whom were undocumented immigrants, and charged with the theft of 6,000 pounds of sawtooth berry crops from local farmers.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests after a local resident reported seeing a group of men in black taking buckets filled with berries from a grove. Reports indicate the men were operating under the radar, which raised suspicion.
While two of the suspects are American, the others hail from Guatemala, according to local news.
During a press conference, Sheriff John Budensek emphasized that the saw palmetto industry is quite significant in the area, valued at around $150 million.
He explained that his deputies had set up surveillance, capturing footage of the immigrants repeatedly transporting buckets of berries to nearby U-Haul trailers.
“We suspected this could be an organized group of saw palmetto berry pickers from Immokalee, Florida. It didn’t take long to spot the U-Haul van, as it had tags and was located at a hotel in Stuart,” Budensek noted.
“These individuals are quite clever. They operate early in the morning, hiding in the bushes throughout the day, and then they’re picked up around dusk,” he added.
Following the arrests, which have been a long-standing issue, Budensek mentioned the total theft amounted to an estimated 6,000 pounds of berries.
These berries are in high demand in the dietary supplement industry and can fetch prices ranging from $1.35 to $4.00 per pound.
“I’ve spoken with ranchers who are turning to drones and game cameras for protection. They’re forced to patrol their land because they’re frustrated by the ongoing thefts,” the sheriff shared.
After the arrests, some suspects were held in ICE detention, while one minor was released to a relative.
All those arrested face charges of grand larceny. Eight of them were placed in ICE custody, and additional charges may come due to prior offenses.
Budensek mentioned that confrontations with these thieves have become increasingly violent, as many realize they risk deportation.
“Encounters have turned more aggressive, as the suspects know the stakes,” he said. “Basically, other law enforcement agencies have faced confrontations and foot pursuits that have escalated.”
The sheriff also pointed out that those in the industry who buy these fruits are, in effect, engaging in a black market for stolen goods.
“When they steal and sell these items, it’s not a sustainable market—it’s a legitimate marketplace utilizing stolen merchandise,” Budensek remarked.
