Migrant-smuggling operation is stopped in Coral Gables, police say

More than 20 Chinese migrants were found inside the back of a U-Haul truck in Coral Gables on Friday morning, according to police.

Around 9:30 a.m., a Coral Gables police officer was flagged down by a witness who reported seeing a woman being forced into a car. Suspecting a possible abduction, the officer provided over police radio a description of two vehicles traveling together: a U-Haul van and a sedan, according to Coral Gables Police Department spokeswoman Natalie Flores.

Officers stopped both vehicles simultaneously and discovered 21 individuals in the U-Haul. They are believed to be from China, said Flores.

Based on interviews at the scene, authorities said theybelieve the group arrived early Friday morning, having been dropped off by a boat somewhere along Coral Gables’ waterways.

“Our marine patrol did stop numerous boats leaving the area after this call came out, but they were not able to identify any vessels involved in the incident,” Flores said.

All of the migrants, who are adults, along with the drivers of both vehicles, were handed over to Homeland Security for further investigation.

A Homeland Security Investigations spokesperson declined to comment on the case when reached Friday afternoon.