Tequesta man arrested for illegally transporting gasoline in the Florida Keys

Marathon, Fl (treasurecoast, Fl)- A 32-year-old Tequesta, Florida man was arrested Thursday for illegally transporting approximately 200 gallons of gasoline in large drums in a go-fast boat.

Jose Manuel Ramirez De Leon was charged with the unlawful conveyance of fuel.

The Sheriff’s Office stopped a GMC pickup truck towing a 27-foot Carrera boat with twin 250 horsepower outboards for no tag on the trailer at approximately 4 p.m. at the Aviation Boulevard boat ramp in Marathon.

The U.S. Border Patrol also responded to the scene.

Ramirez De Leon was identified as the driver of the pickup truck.

Six, 33-gallon drums containing gasoline were inside the boat. An electric fuel pump commonly used in human smuggling operations was found in the center console as well as a satellite phone and a box of Dramamine.

A GPS on the boat had coordinates saved for a location in Cuba.

Ramirez De Leon admitted that he was headed to Cuba to pick up Cubans and return to the U.S.

Ramirez De Leon was taken to jail.