Suspected refugees detained in Martin County

SEWALL'S POINT — Five men, including four Haitians and a Cuban, have been detained after coming ashore in the wee hours this morning, officials said.

The men are believed to have been dropped off between midnight and 1 a.m. on the north side of the Stuart causeway, according to Rhonda Irons, spokesperson for the Martin County Sheriff's Office.

They are believed to have been dropped off by a small, single-engine boat.

One man who was detained in the area of State Road A1A and Sewall's Point Road reportedly had a fake passport. At least three others also were stopped in the area.

Martin County Sheriff's deputies logged a call shortly after 6:30 a.m. on Monday about a suspicious person in the area. Sgt. Martin Jacobson of the Stuart Police Department said his agency was assisting.

Officers and deputies were checking Stuart Beach and other nearby beaches.

The U.S Coast Guard in Fort Pierce launched a 25-foot boat about 6:40 a.m. to help Martin County Sheriff's investigators ensure no additional refugees were in the water, said Petty Officer Justin Bailey.

U.S. Border Patrol officials arrived at the location just before 8 a.m.