Authorities in Martin County are cracking down on the illegal harvesting of berries. Deputies are on alert for organized criminal groups, often involving undocumented immigrants, sneaking onto private properties.
Since July, when harvesting without a permit became a third-degree felony, officials have arrested 30 individuals and confiscated over 17,800 pounds of berries valued at more than $21,000. Legal harvesters must obtain state permits and landowner consent to collect the crop, which grows in clusters on long stalks.
“They’ll try to blend in with the people that are here harvesting legally, and they’ll report them and get them out of there,” said Deputy Jason Slay of the Martin County Sheriff’s Department.
