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However, beneath this well-crafted persona, Smith’s reality was far darker. Him and his significant other are both active registered Republicans, as tensions about border security are at the forefront of this upcoming election. According to court documents, Smith orchestrated a human smuggling operation involving the trafficking of at least 98 migrants, including unaccompanied children. His actions, which contradict the wholesome image he projected, reveal a man driven by greed and willing to exploit the most vulnerable individuals for personal profit.

Smith’s troubles began on February 29, 2024, when officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission conducted a routine maritime safety inspection of his 42-foot Yellowfin vessel. During the inspection, officers discovered 25 Haitian migrants hidden on the deck of the boat, which was a clear violation of U.S. immigration laws. A subsequent investigation revealed that Smith had conducted at least six smuggling trips between July 2023 and February 2024.

Backyard of Raymond Smith’s $1.8 million Rockledge Home where law enforcement watched him commit human smuggling operations.
Smith’s smuggling operations were meticulous and methodical. He coordinated with facilitators in the Bahamas to gather migrants, primarily Haitian nationals, and smuggled them into Brevard County, Florida. The 42-foot Yellowfin and a 2020 42-foot Freeman vessel, valued at an estimated $2 million, were used to ferry the migrants under the cover of night to evade detection. Smith’s known illicit profits from these ventures totaled $284,000, which he attempted to conceal by transferring the money to third parties.

https://thespacecoastrocket.com/gg-roofing-owner-pleads-guilty-to-human-trafficking-charges-including-children-smuggled-at-lest-98-migrants-mostly-haitian/