St Lucie County Sheriff's Office

FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Federal agents say drug traffickers and violent gangs are no longer just crossing the southern border — they're now arriving by sea in growing numbers.

The warning comes just days after four migrant boats were intercepted off the Florida coast over Labor Day weekend.

WATCH BELOW: Feds warn of growing drug, gang pipeline by sea Feds warn of growing drug, gang pipeline by sea

St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent Kevin Bobbit told WPTV reporter Kate Hussey the busts signal a dangerous new wave of smuggling.

"It's a threat, it's a threat to our community," Del Toro said.

We asked him if more cases are expected.

"Absolutely," he added.

According to law enforcement, the operati

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