Martin County Sheriff's Office photos of 11 suspects arrested for stealing approximately 6,000 pounds of saw palmetto berries from local farmland, alongside the recovered haul in a U-Haul truck.
MARTIN COUNTY, Florida — The Martin County Sheriff’s Office arrested 11 suspects on Wednesday in what authorities described as a thwarted attempt to steal thousands of pounds of saw palmetto berries from local farmland.
The group, believed to be part of an organized crime ring operating across multiple Florida counties, had been under surveillance by the sheriff’s Agricultural Unit for some time. Detectives tracked the suspects as they traveled into Martin County from outside the area and targeted private property near SW Citrus Boulevard.
According to the sheriff’s office, the thieves were unaware that law enforcement was monitoring their movements. When the group attempted the heist, deputies moved in, leading to a chaotic confrontation.
All 11 suspects allegedly resisted arrest, prompting the use of tasers and resulting in what officials called a “berry rumble” before they were subdued.
The operation involved deputies from the Agricultural Unit, Special Investigations Division, and Aviation Unit.
Once in custody, nine of the suspects were identified as undocumented immigrants and placed under detainers by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Investigators recovered approximately 6,000 pounds of stolen saw palmetto berries, which would have represented a substantial financial loss to local farmers if not intercepted.
Additionally, deputies seized journals from the suspects that listed potential other victims, indicating the ring’s broader scope.
The suspects now face a range of felony and misdemeanor charges related to theft and resisting arrest.
Saw palmetto berries, harvested for use in supplements and herbal remedies, have become a target for illegal harvesting in Florida due to their high market value.
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