10 migrants arrested after coming ashore near Jupiter

By Adam Sacasa Sun Sentinel contact the reporter

Ten migrants were arrested late Tuesday near Jupiter.

Ten migrants were arrested late Tuesday after coming ashore on a boat in northern Palm Beach County, according to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Tequesta police notified Border Patrol agents after they found the migrants about 9:50 p.m. in the 500 block of South Beach Road, just north of the Jupiter Inlet Colony area, Border Patrol spokesman Frank Miller said.


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The migrants detained were three Jamaicans, two Bahamians and five Haitians. Two of the Haitians were minors accompanied by their relatives, Miller said.

A woman from Haiti was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach after complaining of pains. Her condition was non-life-threatening, Miller said.


Who the smuggler or smugglers are among the group is under investigation. "Someone had to be driving that boat so there had to be smugglers," Miller said. "We're just trying to find out who did it."


The migrants were taken to the Riviera Beach Border Patrol station, where they'll be processed and interviewed by Homeland Security investigators.

Miller said it's possible that more migrants may have vanished before the others were arrested.


"Once they beach a vessel and everyone starts running, it's such a rapidly evolving event," Miller said. "Sometimes, the criminal organization does manage to pick up their cargo, which is people. Sometimes they blend into the community and are never caught."


Smugglers have been known to have vehicles waiting on land, ready to pick up migrants.


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A 32-foot Chris-Craft power boat that had launched from the Bahamas was seized by authorities.

"It's possible that there are still people that went unapprehended," Miller said. "We continue to work behind the scenes, and we're constantly on the lookout."


Miller asked anyone who wants to report suspicious activity anonymously to call Border Patrol at 877-773-8146.

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