Two men from Abaco were arrested by United States authorities in connection with allegedly smuggling more than a dozen Haitian immigrants into Florida over the weekend.
A 38-year-old and a 41-year-old, both of Marsh Harbour, were taken into custody by officers from Rocky Point, Florida and later turned over to federal authorities, according to a report in the Sun-Sentinel newspaper.
The two men were reportedly captured while “trying to escape” in the vessel they had sailed from The Bahamas on Thursday night, authorities told the Florida newspaper.
“Normally, [smugglers] drop [immigrants] off on the beach because it’s easier for them to drop them off and turn around,” said Sgt. Bruce Newbold, who leads the Martin County Sheriff’s Office marine unit and who helped make the capture. “But the seas were so rough … the boat would have been on the beach with them.”
Robert Swathwood, US Border Patrol agent in charge, told the Sun-Sentinel that the operation began when the immigrants made their way to The Bahamas from Haiti.
He claimed they were likely in Freeport when they boarded a battered 1983, 25-foot Bertram with a blue hull that was reportedly gutted to accommodate an additional 200 gallon fuel tank and extra passengers, according to the newspaper.
The serial numbers had been reportedly filed off both of the boat’s two Yamaha 200-hp motors.
Officials believe the crew dropped off their passengers about 4 a.m., just inside the St Lucie Inlet, according to the newspaper.
As of yesterday, Florida authorites were still searching for five to 10 other immigrants who might have taken a taxi and headed for Fort Lauderdale, said Mr Swathwood. Some might have been children.
All of the men captured were between 20 and 35 and were reportedly in good health, according to authorities.
The immigrants are to be processed for deportation, but will first be provided with an attorney and appear before an immigration judge.
By: JASMIN BONIMY, The Nassau Guardian
