Overview
- Coast Guard Station Miami Beach crews intercepted a vessel one mile south of Key Biscayne that refused to stop, and they fired warning shots before using disabling fire to halt the boat.
- Officials say the interdiction occurred on Wednesday, June 10, and no one was injured during the encounter.
- The 25 Chinese nationals were transferred to the Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell for processing while the vessel was seized and towed to Station Miami Beach.
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations opened a criminal probe into the attempted smuggling with assistance from CBP Air and Marine Operations.
- The Coast Guard described the action as part of Operation Vigilant Sentry, its continuous presence in the Florida Straits to deter maritime smuggling, which could lead to repatriation or prosecution depending on the HSI investigation.