5 suspected undocumented immigrants, 110 pounds of pot, come ashore in Jensen Beach

HUTCHINSON ISLAND, Fla. - SOUTH HUTCHINSON ISLAND — Five undocumented migrants came ashore Sunday morning in southern St. Lucie County near Jensen Beach and were apprehended with two duffel bags containing about 110 pounds of marijuana, local and federal authorities report.

The suspects were spotted by someone who called 911 around 7 a.m. from the Courtyard by Marriott hotel, 10978 S. Ocean Drive, just north of the Martin County line, St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara said. They were dripping with water and carrying the two duffel bags of marijuana, he said.

The five, all adults, included two Jamaican men and one woman; one Haitian man; and a Bahamian man, said Nicole Navas, spokeswoman for the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. The agency retained custody of the marijuana and turned the five suspects over to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, she said.

The suspects names and other information were not available Sunday and Navas said the investigation is ongoing.

A 23-foot open, center-console boat in which they landed on South Hutchinson Island was recovered by the Martin County Sheriff's Office. It also has been turned over to federal authorities.