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About 150 Haitian migrants landed ashore on the private beach of a Summerland Key residence, border authorities confirmed.
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office said it received the initial call Monday morning of the group landing in Summerland Key, about 20 miles from Key West. This is the latest in a string of suspected smuggling operations in Florida.
Walter N. Slosar, chief patrol agent, U.S. Border Patrol, Miami sector, made the announcement on Twitter, posting a picture of the disheveled vessel that carried the migrants.
#HappeningNow: #BorderPatrol agents along with federal, state, & local partners are responding to a maritime smuggling event involving over 100 migrants that made landfall in the Florida Keys. @cbpamoregdirse @uscgsoutheast @cbpflorida#breakingnews #florida pic.twitter.com/cgnR0PTx03
— Chief Patrol Agent Walter N. Slosar (@USBPChiefMIP) March 14, 2022
"Border Patrol agents along with federal, state, & local partners are responding to a maritime smuggling event involving over 100 migrants that made landfall in the Florida Keys," Slosar wrote in a tweet.
The vessel was reportedly in poor condition and severely overcrowded. Four migrants were taken to a local hospital for dehydration, WPLG reports.
Border Patrol spokesman Adam Hoffner told WPLG: "At this time, the investigation is still ongoing."
A week ago, another 356 Haitian migrants on an overloaded boat arrived in the Keys. Border Patrol officials says some migrants jumped off the vessel and attempted to swim ashore during rough sea conditions. A total of 158 migrants were rescued from the water by law enforcement and evaluated by Emergency Medical Services. They were taken into Border Patrol custody.
An additional 198 people remained onboard the vessel and were safely removed. They were taken into custody by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The 158 people in Border Patrol custody will be interviewed and processed for removal proceedings. The remaining 198 remain on a Coast Guard cutter, pending repatriation to Haiti.
"The coordinated and timely response of the U.S. Border Patrol and our federal, state, and local partners potentially saved the lives of these migrants today," said Slosar. "We are fortunate to report that there were no serious injuries or fatalities associated with this smuggling venture. The criminal organizations that overload these vessels sacrifice the safety of the migrants for the sake of profits."
Since October 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews have rescued 1,193 Haitians, the unit reported.
Newsweek reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for comment. A spokesperson said: "pending updates."
