MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A group of migrants who landed on Fisher Island, Friday morning, may have been smuggled to shore, according to investigators.
According to U.S. Customs Border Patrol, officials were notified at around 8:20 a.m., regarding a possible smuggling event near Fisher Island.
After receiving the call, the U.S. Coast Guard and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue discovered an abandoned capsized go-fast boat near the jetty. Crews then searched for the people who were once on board.
SkyForceHD captured debris, including life vests and seats from inside of the boat, scattered along the south side of a jetty, near the entrance of PortMiami.
Moments later, a woman could be seen limping as she was assisted by Coast Guard officials. Seconds later, eight other people were recovered, many handcuffed.
All nine people were then taken into custody and transported via the Fisher Island Ferry back to Miami Beach where they are now being interviewed by customs officials.
Investigators believe this may be a case of smuggling.
However, officials still do not know where the migrants came from, nor how their go-fast boat ended up capsized against the jetty.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.