DANIA BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Border Patrol agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed they have responded to a maritime smuggling operation amid a search for migrants in Dania Beach.
A heavy law enforcement presence could be seen at the Cozy Cove Marina, in the area of Northeast First Court and Third Street, at around 4:45 p.m., Friday.
Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies confirmed they are searching for migrants who arrived to South Florida via a boat. Deputies believe there may be at least 20 migrants involved in the incident, and they have 16 in custody as of 6 p.m.
“I see a group just running behind the gas station, and it’s like, ‘Hey, you know those people are getting smuggled down here,'” witness Marlow Caravallo said. “There was a group of people. It was like five people in this corner right here, the people that I saw. They went into the Border Patrol truck.”
7Skyforce HD captured a woman and a man being placed in the back of a Border Patrol vehicle, and they were treated on the scene.
Aerial footage showed a second boat that was pulled over around 3 miles west of the marina. BSO took the driver of the boat into custody, and they brought the driver back to the marina.
Deputies shut down Federal Highway between Stirling and Griffin roads while they investigated the incident.
Border Patrol continues to investigate the incident.
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