Ron DeSantis revealed Haitians with guns and night vision were intercepted near Florida (Image: X/Florida’s Voice)
A boat carrying 25 illegal aliens from Haiti has been intercepted in waters near Florida, according to the state’s Governor, Ron DeSantis.
DeSantis told a press conference this afternoon: “They had firearms, they had drugs, they had night vision gear…That vessel was interdicted, those illegal aliens were turned over to the Coast Guard for deportation.”
Officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) were conducting a patrol near Sebastian Inlet at 7.30pm on Thursday, February 29.
They stopped a 42-foot vessel which was involved in what they described as a “human smuggling operation.”
Investigators found onboard 25 individuals, including five unaccompanied children, alongside the weapons, night vision gear and drugs.
The vessel operator and a passenger – both identified as U.S. citizens – were turned over to Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, according to the press release.
The suspected migrants – referred to as “illegal aliens” by DeSantis – were turned over to the state’s Coast Guard for deportation.
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The incident comes amid growing concerns about violent criminals from gang-ridden Haiti crossing into the US.
It coincides with many innocent Haitians attempting to flee as chaos engulfs the capital, Port-au-Prince amid a fight for power after the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
For years, Haiti has been blighted by poverty, violence, and a vacuum of leadership. The crisis worsened after the assassination of previous President Jovenel Moise in 2021.
A source living in the capital told Daily Express US: “People are trying to flee Haiti to places like the US, and the situation is likely going to get worse as the violence continues.
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“Activists will tell you immigration from Haiti to the US is closely tied to the situation inside the country, including the insecurity.”
The source – a journalist – added: “More insecurity in Haiti means more people will try to go to the US to save their lives. We are already seeing this.”
Florida is where the majority of fleeing Haitians are expected to end up.
On Wednesday, DeSantis announced that he is sending over 250 additional officers and soldiers, as well as over a dozen of aircraft and boats, to “protect” the state’s southern border from what he called the “possibility of invasion.”