There’s a lucrative business almost exclusive to South Florida, literally growing on trees: saw palmetto berries.
These berries attract people looking to make a lot of cash quickly. But, that big profit also attracts criminals who, starting this year, face a felony charge for harvesting the berries without a permit or permission to collect on private property or public lands.
Martin County deputies told WPTV Anchor Meghan McRoberts that the stiffer penalty is not stopping criminals.
“It hasn’t. It hasn’t slowed it down a bit,” said Martin County Ranch and Grove Deputy Jason Slay. “It’s a multi-million-dollar cash business.”
Slay took us to a large private property in western Martin County where saw palmetto berries grow in abundance and various people have legal permits to harvest them. Landowners can cash in on what’s already growing naturally on their property by making agreements with pickers to collect the berries, sharing some of the profits after they’re sold.
The berries grow on long, sharp stalks in sticky clusters. The conditions are typically rough, with the harvesters dealing with heat, dangerous wildlife, and having to push through thick brush to fill heavy bags with berries.