VIDEO: Boat crash leads to human smuggling investigation

NBC-2

A boat that crashed into a pier near the Captiva tower near Sanibel Harbor Resort and Spa early Wednesday. Authorities say it was carrying more than 500 gallons of gasoline. The man driving the boat fled when deputies made contact with him. The incident began about 4 a.m. Wednesday when deputies saw an outbound boat near Punta Rassa.

LEE COUNTY — After an early morning boat chase to elude local and federal law enforcement, a suspected illegal alien smuggler jumped ship and crashed a boat into a fishing pier near Sanibel Island this morning, said a Lee County Sheriff’s Office spokesman.

Authorities still haven’t located the male suspect, but an investigation about the incident is underway, confirmed officials from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

A sheriff’s marine unit and CBP agents were making rounds near a Sanibel Boat ramp at Punta Rassa when they spotted a 33-foot outboard go-fast boat around 4 a.m., said spokesman Tony Schall.

“Authorities attempted to stop the boat,” Schall said, “but it took off.”

During the chase, the vessel’s operator “jumped ship” to evade his pursuers, he said.

The boat crashed, but no bystanders were hurt. The suspect swam to shore and escaped authorities.

After searching the suspect’s vessel, authorities found 15, 30-pound gas containers and a “rubber bladder” with even more gas, Schall reported.

Brendan Quigley, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, said the large quantities of gas on the vessel is consistent with prior cases of Cuban human smuggling.

Deputies and CBP agents conducted a two-hour search by air and ground for the suspect, but were unable to locate him.

Sheriff’s marine units regularly patrol local waters looking for smuggling and other illegal activity officials said.

Quigley called the incident a “cold hit,” that has now opened a deeper investigation.

Continue to follow this story on naplesnews.com.

---

Connect with Aaron Hale at http://www.naplesnews.com/staff/aaron-hale

© 2010 marconews.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.