Haiti migrants carrying guns, night vision tech and drugs arrested off Florida coast

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, the Florida governor told reporters.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL): “Given the situation that’s happening in Haiti, some brutal reports…we have authorized additional officers…The last thing you should want to do is get on some boat and think you’re going to come through from any of these islands to get to…Florida.” pic.twitter.com/8nUP8txEOK

— The Recount (@therecount) March 15, 2024

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…