NEAR KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (WSVN) – Dozens of Haitian nationals have been taken into custody after they came ashore near Crandon Park and Golf Course near Key Biscayne, according to officials.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials confirmed they are assisting U.S. Customs and Border Protection after a group of migrants came ashore at around 3 p.m., Tuesday.
U.S. Chief Patrol Agent Thomas Martin confirmed 23 migrants have been taken into custody as of 5:30 p.m. At 7 p.m., he said a total of 42 Haitian nationals have been taken into custody. He described the incident as “a maritime smuggling event.”
Aerial footage from 7Skyforce HD captured a Miami-Dade Police helicopter circling the area where the migrants arrived.
Cameras captured three handcuffed migrants speaking with a CBP officer alongside a roadway.
A woman and child were among those who were taken off the boat for medical care.
Some of the migrants have been transferred from a CBP vessel onto a U.S. Coast Guard boat.
Martin said the vessel involved in the incident will be seized.
Officials said the incident remains under investigation.
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