MIAMI, FL- On Friday, January 17th, following an abduction and human smuggling operation, Coral Gables Police Chief announced that 21 illegal immigrants, mostly from China plus one from Ecuador and Cuba, were discovered in a U-Haul truck.
According to CBS News, Chief Edward James Hudak Jr. said that on Friday around 9:35 a.m., a security guard for a homeowners association observed what appeared to be an abduction on Old Cutler Road. The security guard reported seeing a Toyota vehicle and a U-Haul truck involved and immediately alerted a patrol officer. Hudak said, "The officer took swift action, issuing a BOLO (be on the lookout) alert to notify other officers."
Shortly thereafter, police spotted and stopped both the Toyota and the U-Haul. A woman was removed from the U-Haul during the alleged abduction and officers proceeded to investigate the contents of the U-Haul. Hudak said, "Officers opened the back of the truck and found 21 individuals inside, predominantly Chinese nationals, along with Ecuadorian and Cuban nationals."
Identification documents and electronic devices were also found inside of the truck. Hudak said that authorities believe the illegal immigrants may have arrived by water before being loaded into the U-Haul at a location in southern Coral Gables. He said, "Whether the woman was trying to escape the individuals who brought her here is still under investigation."
The Coral Gables Fire Department medically evaluated all individuals in the truck and cleared the scene. Hudak said, "This was not intelligence-driven. It started as a citizen's report of a crime and I believe lives may have been saved because of that alert individual." All of the illegal immigrants were taken into custody and transferred to Border Patrol for processing. Four others were taken into police custody related to the incident.
Fox News reported that the commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Mark Glass, said in a statement, "Today's event is a prime example of why FDLE is supportive of the governor's proposed special session to tackle illegal immigration immediately. The actions of law enforcement are an integral part in preventing these smuggling ventures that happen too frequently on our southern border."
Authorities patrolling the waters near the city stopped several vessels, but have not identified the boat in which the illegal immigrants were transported. The investigation remains on going. According to CBS News, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other local officials have announced their plans to participate in any federal immigration enforcement that President-elect Donal Trump and his administration enact.
During a press conference on Wednesday, January 15th, DeSantis called for a special session of the Florida Legislature to enact new policies addressing illegal immigration. He said, "I think this is very straightforward. There's been no issue higher on the radar consistently so over these last four years than the immigration issue."
Joined by local and state law enforcement officials, DeSantis said he will require city, county and state law enforcement to have "maximum participation" in any programs to assist the federal government with enforcing federal immigration laws. DeSantis also laid out many immigration policies he plans to enforce, including making undocumented entry into the United States a state-level crime.
DeSantis also proposed the appointment of a "state immigration enforcement officer" who will be dedicated to overseeing the coordination of federal immigration authorities and Florida's existing transport program. During the press conference, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd shared examples of crimes committed by illegal immigrants to help urge immediate action.
According to CBS News, Chief Edward James Hudak Jr. said that on Friday around 9:35 a.m., a security guard for a homeowners association observed what appeared to be an abduction on Old Cutler Road. The security guard reported seeing a Toyota vehicle and a U-Haul truck involved and immediately alerted a patrol officer. Hudak said, "The officer took swift action, issuing a BOLO (be on the lookout) alert to notify other officers."
Shortly thereafter, police spotted and stopped both the Toyota and the U-Haul. A woman was removed from the U-Haul during the alleged abduction and officers proceeded to investigate the contents of the U-Haul. Hudak said, "Officers opened the back of the truck and found 21 individuals inside, predominantly Chinese nationals, along with Ecuadorian and Cuban nationals."
Identification documents and electronic devices were also found inside of the truck. Hudak said that authorities believe the illegal immigrants may have arrived by water before being loaded into the U-Haul at a location in southern Coral Gables. He said, "Whether the woman was trying to escape the individuals who brought her here is still under investigation."
The Coral Gables Fire Department medically evaluated all individuals in the truck and cleared the scene. Hudak said, "This was not intelligence-driven. It started as a citizen's report of a crime and I believe lives may have been saved because of that alert individual." All of the illegal immigrants were taken into custody and transferred to Border Patrol for processing. Four others were taken into police custody related to the incident.
Fox News reported that the commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Mark Glass, said in a statement, "Today's event is a prime example of why FDLE is supportive of the governor's proposed special session to tackle illegal immigration immediately. The actions of law enforcement are an integral part in preventing these smuggling ventures that happen too frequently on our southern border."
Authorities patrolling the waters near the city stopped several vessels, but have not identified the boat in which the illegal immigrants were transported. The investigation remains on going. According to CBS News, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other local officials have announced their plans to participate in any federal immigration enforcement that President-elect Donal Trump and his administration enact.
During a press conference on Wednesday, January 15th, DeSantis called for a special session of the Florida Legislature to enact new policies addressing illegal immigration. He said, "I think this is very straightforward. There's been no issue higher on the radar consistently so over these last four years than the immigration issue."
Joined by local and state law enforcement officials, DeSantis said he will require city, county and state law enforcement to have "maximum participation" in any programs to assist the federal government with enforcing federal immigration laws. DeSantis also laid out many immigration policies he plans to enforce, including making undocumented entry into the United States a state-level crime.
DeSantis also proposed the appointment of a "state immigration enforcement officer" who will be dedicated to overseeing the coordination of federal immigration authorities and Florida's existing transport program. During the press conference, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd shared examples of crimes committed by illegal immigrants to help urge immediate action.
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Comments
65 days ago | Comment by: James
Send them back to China!