Over 30 mostly Chinese migrants rescued after being abducted, stuffed into the back of a U-Haul truck

By avagrace // 2025-01-26

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A U-Haul truck carrying 31 allegedly smuggled illegal immigrants was apprehended by authorities in Coral Gables, Florida.
The 31 illegal immigrants – 16 Chinese women, 15 Chinese men, one Cuban man and one Ecuadorian woman – in the U-Haul were picked up along with four other illegal immigrants in an accompanying Toyota vehicle.
The vehicles were spotted by a vigilant security guard who reported suspicious activity from the cars to local police.
Initial investigations suggest the migrants were likely trafficked into the United States by boat, dropped off near Coral Gables and then loaded into the U-Haul.
Police and fire departments swiftly intervened, providing medical care to the migrants, who were described as tired but in good condition. Four individuals connected to the incident were arrested, and the migrants were handed over to Border Patrol for processing.

Authorities in Florida discovered over 30 mostly Chinese nationals packed into the back of a U-Haul truck. A security officer for a homeowners association in Coral Gables in southern Florida reported the U-Haul truck at around 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 17, after witnessing what appeared to be an abduction. The individual spotted a Toyota vehicle along with the U-Haul truck involved in suspicious activity and immediately notified a patrol officer. The officer swiftly issued a BOLO – a "be on the lookout" alert – to other law enforcement personnel, setting off a rapid response. Police located and stopped both vehicles. Inside the Toyota, officers found a woman who was allegedly abducted, along with a Cuban man, a Brazilian woman and an Ecuadorian man. In the back of the U-Haul truck, officers saw 31 individuals crammed into a space meant for cargo – 16 Chinese women, 15 Chinese men, one Cuban man and one Ecuadorian woman. (Related: Investigative journalist: Over 85,000 unaccompanied migrant children trafficked into the U.S. have been KIDNAPPED.) Coral Gables Police Chief Edward James Hudak Jr. described the scene as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by human smuggling operations. He noted that the migrants were likely brought to the United States by boat, dropped off near the southern end of Coral Gables and then loaded into the U-Haul. Investigators are still piecing together the details, including whether the woman allegedly abducted was attempting to escape her smugglers. In a press conference, Hudak celebrated the security guard's quick intervention, noting that the rescue of the likely trafficked individuals "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," said Hudak.

Trafficked migrants handed over to Border Patrol for processing

The Coral Gables Fire Department responded to provide medical care to the migrants, who were described as "tired" but otherwise in good condition. The migrants were handed over to Border Patrol for processing, while four individuals connected to the incident were taken into police custody. Authorities are continuing to investigate the smuggling operation, including efforts to identify the boat used to transport the migrants. "Today's event is a prime example of why FDLE [Florida Department of Law Enforcement] is supportive of the governor's proposed special session to tackle illegal immigration immediately," said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. "The actions of law enforcement are an integral part in preventing these smuggling ventures that happen too frequently on our southern border." Watch this clip from Newsmax featuring Border Czar Tom Homan discussing why it is essential to shut down the border. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

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Trafficked migrants handed over to Border Patrol for processing

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