Florida Keys: Authorities intercept boat with 22 migrants and suspected smuggler

U.S. authorities intercepted a 27-foot vessel near Angelfish Creek in the Florida Keys on September 15, resulting in the arrest of 23 individuals. The group included 13 Chinese nationals, eight Ecuadorians, and one Dominican national.

Federal agents from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Coast Guard apprehended a 30-year-old Cuban national suspected of piloting the boat and acting as a smuggler. Two Ecuadorian nationals involved also face charges for allegedly encouraging illegal entry into the United States.

The vessel was detected by a CBP Air and Marine Operations aircraft during a patrol. All migrants were transferred to the Coast Guard cutter Pablo Valent for processing. Authorities noted that the presence of a large number of Chinese nationals on this maritime route is unusual compared to traditional migrant groups from Cuba or Haiti.