New Details Emerge About Migrants Caught Near Mar-A-Lago

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Dramatic new details are now public of how the United States Coast Guard stopped a boat loaded with 13 migrants, including a convicted criminal from landing on our coast.

Documents show the U.S. Coast Guard eventually stopped the boat 33 miles away from the coast when it ran out of gas and sank. The boat reportedly had 13 migrants on board from around the world, including four who had previously been deported. That also includes one man who’s been deported four times and previously convicted of a sex offense and drug charge.

Former CIA Officer Lisa Ruth recently spoke with CBS12 about human smuggling and the threat it poses to our national security.

“We have literally no idea how many people are coming in,” she said. “We have no idea who they are, we have no idea where they’re going.”

Court documents show the smugglers and migrants departed Grand Bahama Island, paying up to $7,000 to be smuggled into America.

Defense Attorney Greg Morse has represented migrants smuggled in the past and says most are just looking for a better life.

“The challenges of coming to America poses for them is a welcomed relief literally to what they’re fearing in their home country,” he said.

Five people involved in this are now facing federal charges.