Police apprehend 18 suspected undocumented immigrants at Sloan’s Curve

Ryan Helmis with Tow Boat U.S. and Alex Mederos with the U.S. Border Patrol approach a boat Wednesday that carried undocumented immigrants.

.By David Rogers Daily News Staff Writer

Updated: 2:59 p.m. Thursday, June 10, 2010

Posted: 9:37 a.m. Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Security cameras alerted staff of the Sloan’s Curve Condominium at 2000 S. Ocean Blvd. to the presence of several undocumented immigrants who had entered the property early Wednesday morning.

Palm Beach police apprehended 18 people — 13 suspected Chinese nationals and five Haitians — following a call around 4:15 a.m. from the condominium’s security staff.

At about 5 a.m. Palm Beach police handed the individuals over to federal immigration and border patrol officers for processing at the Riviera Beach office.

It appears the aliens were brought to the area on a 24-foot open fisherman boat that is registered to a Miami resident, according to Capt. Jeff Trylch of the Palm Beach Police Department.

“The boat was found on the beach at Sloan’s Curve in the surf taking on water. We have not located the captain or operator of the vessel. We are still looking for them right now,â€