MIAMI (AP):

Two men have been arrested on federal smuggling charges related to the death of an illegal immigrant from Jamaica, the United States (U.S.) Attorney's Office says.

Ricky Thompson, 40, identified as a Bahamian boat captain, and Leon Brice Johnson, 38, a U.S. citizen, are charged in a criminal complaint with alien smuggling that resulted in death, federal prosecutors said. Johnson's hometown was not immediately available.

Thompson and Johnson each face a maximum of life in prison if convicted.

Martin County authorities dis-covered an abandoned 35-foot (10.6-metre) motorboat grounded at Blowing Rocks Preserve in Hobe Sound on December 28, 2006, according to the complaint.

Forced into water

Authorities also found 83 pounds (37.65 kilograms) of marijuana and a kilogram of cocaine near the boat.

Nine illegal aliens from Jamaica, Haiti and Romania were eventually taken into custody. The body of a 10th Jamaican migrant was found floating nearby in the water.

According to the complaint, each migrant had paid Thompson between US$2,000 and US$4,000 for trans-portation from Freeport, Bahamas, to the U.S.

As the boat neared shore, the migrants were forced into the water, authorities allege.