Florida kidnapping reports lead to the discovery of immigrants in a U-Haul truck
A group of more than 30 migrants, mostly Chinese citizens, were found inside a U-Haul truck Friday after a report of a suspected abduction, Florida authorities said.
The discovery began when a homeowner’s association security guard in Miami’s Coral Gables neighborhood reported seeing the abduction around 9:35 a.m., said Coral Gables Police Chief Edward James Hudak Jr. he told the media.
The security guard reported seeing a Toyota and U-Haul vehicle involved in the incident and reported it to the police, the chief said. The police officer then issued a BOLO letter to monitor these vehicles.
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Coral Gables Police Chief Edward James Hudak Jr. speaks to reporters about a group of migrants found in a U-Haul truck on Friday. (WSVN-TV)
The cars were stopped by the police, and the woman who was allegedly kidnapped was taken from Toyota. Police then began investigating the U-Haul truck, which had 16 Chinese women, 15 Chinese men, one Cuban man and an Ecuadorian woman, according to police.
“The police opened the back of the truck, which revealed that most of them are from China,” said Hudak.
Apart from the migrants traveling in the Toyota, there was a man from Cuba, a woman from Brazil and a man from Ecuador, said the police.
“We believe that these people were brought by water,” said the king. “It is possible that they were dropped off, we think that on the south side of Coral Gables we approached on foot the car where they were loaded.”
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A U-Haul van. Authorities in Florida found 21 migrants inside a U-Haul truck on Friday. (Texas Department of Public Safety)
Detectives were investigating whether the woman who may have been abducted was trying to escape from those suspected of her trafficking. The Coral Gables Fire Department responded by providing medical assistance to the evacuees, who were “exhausted” but in good condition, police said.
“Today’s event is a prime example of why FDLE supports the governor’s proposed special session to address illegal immigration immediately,” said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass. “Law enforcement actions are an important part of preventing these smuggling schemes that occur regularly along our southern border.”
The migrants were handed over to the US Border Patrol, and four were taken into police custody in connection with the incident.
“This started as a crime,” Hudak said. “The police department responded to that crime committed by a vigilant citizen. By that, I mean I think we have saved some lives.”
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Authorities patrolling the waters near the city have stopped several boats but have not yet identified the boat on which the migrants were transported, authorities said.
Fox News Digital reached out to police and the US Border Patrol.
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