TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Agricultural Law Enforcement officers intercepted a white cargo van that bypassed an agricultural interdiction station in Nassau County, leading to the arrest of a suspected illegal alien and the detention of four other suspected illegal aliens. FDACS Agricultural Interdiction Stations serve as a first line of defense in protecting Florida agriculture and enforcing state and federal laws.
“Florida’s Agricultural Law Enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our state and safeguard our communities,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “In partnership with local, state, and federal law enforcement, our Agricultural Law Enforcement officers will continue to pursue criminal activity that threatens our safety and security.”
Upon stopping the vehicle, Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) officers determined that the driver did not possess a valid driver license. A subsequent inspection of the vehicle’s cargo area uncovered four additional individuals inside. OALE officers immediately contacted the U.S. Border Patrol, which advised OALE to detain all individuals until agents could arrive.
Upon their arrival, Border Patrol officers conducted checks on all subjects. The driver was arrested for operating a vehicle without a valid license and for bypassing the interdiction station and was transported to the Nassau County jail, where an immigration detainer was placed on the subject. The passengers were detained by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers.
The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement conducts criminal investigations relating to any matter over which the department has jurisdiction, protects consumers from unfair and deceptive trade practices, protects Florida’s agriculture industry from theft and other crimes, and safeguards the integrity of Florida’s food and other consumer products. In support of its mission, the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement operates more than 20 agricultural interdiction stations around the state. Officers conduct vehicle inspections 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to protect Florida’s food supply and prevent the introduction and spread of agricultural pests and diseases.
For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.
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