On Tuesday, U.S. authorities apprehended two Cuban nationals in Miami on charges of running a smuggling operation that brought Chinese migrants into the United States. Chief Agent Jeffrey Dinise of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Miami Sector reported that officers from his team, along with Coral Gables police, responded to a maritime smuggling incident, resulting in the arrest of two Cuban smugglers and 26 undocumented Chinese immigrants.
NBC Miami reported that the undocumented individuals were found traveling in two vans. These vehicles were transporting 17 men and 9 women of Chinese origin, located at the intersections of 88th Street and Old Cutler Road, and 11600 Old Cutler Road. At the scene, an officer recovered a firearm, as confirmed by Police Chief Ed Hudak.
"They landed essentially in the same area, with the two vans heading in different directions," Hudak stated. "I cannot say definitively if they are connected, but it’s a situation very similar to what we encountered two weeks ago," referencing a prior incident.
Last week, a collaborative operation by various security agencies in Coral Gables led to the detention of 28 individuals, including migrants from China (21), Cuba (3), Ecuador (1), and Brazil (1), as part of an investigation into a potential smuggling or human trafficking case. Four of those arrested, three of whom are Cuban, are under scrutiny as suspected organizers of the smuggling network.
"There is no room for human trafficking in the city of Coral Gables, let alone in the state of Florida. We must directly combat illegal immigration, utilizing our experienced state and local agencies," stated John Vecchio, the special agent in charge of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) in Miami.
Understanding the Recent Smuggling Incident in Miami
What charges are the Cuban nationals facing in Miami?
The Cuban nationals are facing charges related to operating a smuggling network that brought Chinese migrants into the United States.
How many Chinese migrants were involved in the smuggling incident?
The incident involved 26 undocumented Chinese migrants, comprising 17 men and 9 women.
What was the outcome of the previous smuggling incident in Coral Gables?
The previous operation resulted in the detention of 28 individuals, involving migrants from China, Cuba, Ecuador, and Brazil, and is part of an ongoing investigation into smuggling activities.