FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — A smuggling mission that began with a rented Airbnb and a plan to cross international waters ended in 38 undocumented immigrants being intercepted and a massive drug bust off the Fort Pierce coast.

The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office (SLCSO) said the investigation began on August 29, when investigators learned that a group of men rented an Airbnb in Fort Pierce and were allegedly planning to travel to the Bahamas to retrieve narcotics and smuggle undocumented individuals into the United States.

The following day, at around 5:30 a.m., two suspect vessels were seen departing the Fort Pierce Inlet. According to the news release, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) coordinated a full-scale interdiction targeting the vessels. Counter-surveillance teams were also spotted patrolling North and South Beach areas near the inlet.

SLCSO said law enforcement later revealed a third vessel was involved. All three boats—identified as a 42-foot Contender, a 36-foot Grady White, and a 33–35-foot Intermarine—were intercepted as they approached the inlet. The Contender and Grady White complied and stopped. The Intermarine attempted to flee but was disabled and stopped by CBP AMO agents. Three individuals conducting counter-surveillance on land were also taken into custody, according to the news release.

Authorities recovered:

• 30 Chinese nationals believed to be undocumented, including two juveniles
• 5 Bahamian males from the vessels
• 3 Bahamian males from the beach surveillance teams
• Approximately 168 kilograms (370 pounds) of cocaine were seized

All individuals were turned over to federal authorities for further investigation, according to the sheriff's office. The Chinese nationals intercepted at sea were taken in by the U.S. Coast Guard and are expected to be repatriated.

See also: FBI hunts for woman in Palm Beach Co. accused of stealing $34M in COVID relief funds

"We won’t tolerate criminals using our shores as their pathway," said Sheriff Richard Del Toro. "Our county will not be a gateway for criminal enterprises. I’m proud of the teamwork and tenacity shown by all the local, state, and federal agencies involved."

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