DeSantis Says Florida Intercepted Haitian Migrant Boat Carrying Drugs, Guns
16th March 2024
Florida governor Ron DeSantis (R.) announced on Friday that state officials intercepted a vessel carrying dozens of Haitian migrants with firearms and drugs amid widespread gang violence in the Caribbean country.
“Our Florida Fish and Wildlife officers interdicted a vessel that had 25 illegal immigrants, potential illegal immigrants from Haiti in their boat,” DeSantis said at a press conference. “In their vessel they had firearms, they had drugs, they had night vision gear and were boating very recklessly, which would potentially endanger other folks.” The vessel was intercepted in the last few weeks, and the illegal migrants “were turned over to the Coast Guard for deportation,” the governor added.
The announcement came a few days after a leaked Border Patrol email revealed the agency’s Miami officials were told to prepare for a potential influx of Haitian migrants fleeing the country’s gang takeover. “One landing will cripple the station and our ability to respond to other traffic,” the email said, urging officials to contain incoming migrants to one area while providing any necessary medical assistance and conducting background checks.