Florida authorities said Friday that a group of more than 30 migrants, mostly Chinese, were found inside a U-Haul truck after receiving a report of a suspected kidnapping.
Coral Gables Police Chief Edward James Hudak Jr. told reporters that a security guard at a homeowners association in the Miami suburb of Coral Gables reported witnessing a kidnapping at about 9:35 a.m. He said it started with a chance.
According to the chief, a security guard saw a Toyota and a U-Haul truck involved in the incident and immediately alerted patrol officers. Officers then issued a BOLO warning the vehicle to be on alert.
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Coral Gables Police Chief Edward James Hudak Jr. told reporters Friday about a group of immigrants found in a U-Haul vehicle. (WSVN-TV)
The vehicle was stopped by officers and the woman who was allegedly kidnapped was taken from the Toyota. Officers then began searching the U-Haul truck, where 16 Chinese women, 15 Chinese men, one Cuban man and one Ecuadorian woman were inside, police said. .
“Officers opened the back of the truck and found 21 people, mostly Chinese,” Hudak said.
Police said the migrants in the Toyota included a Cuban man, a Brazilian woman and a man from Ecuador.
“We believe these people were brought here by water,” the chief said. “They were likely dropped off and approached the van where they were being loaded on foot near the south end of Coral Gables.”
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U-Haul van. Florida authorities found 21 immigrants inside a U-Haul vehicle on Friday. (Texas Department of Public Safety)
Investigators were looking into whether the woman, who may have been kidnapped, was trying to escape from the alleged smuggler. The Coral Gables Fire Department provided medical care to the migrants, who were “tired” but in good condition, police said.
“Today's events are a great example of why FDLE supports the Governor's proposed special session to immediately address illegal immigration,” said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Director Mark Glass. “Law enforcement operations are an essential part of interdicting the smuggling operations that frequently occur at our nation's southern border.”
The migrants were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol, and four others were taken into police custody in connection with the incident.
“This started as a crime,” Hudak said. “Police responded to a suspected crime by a very alert citizen. So I think we saved some lives.”
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Authorities patrolling the waters near the city stopped several boats, but the boat in which the migrants were transported has not been identified, authorities said.
Fox News Digital reached out to police and the U.S. Border Patrol.
