Authorities Launch Investigation Into How Cuban Migrants Reached Sands Key
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ELLIOTT KEY (CBSMiami) – Dozens of migrants came ashore onto Sands Key at around noon Tuesday, prompting an investigation from federal authorities who believe they were part of a smuggling operation.
They were tired but relieved they made it at ashore – even if they were a few miles off the mainland.
Lucas Conrad from Biscayne National Park was first out there to help.
"The tide was low so we had to have the migrants walk out. We took them in groups. At this time, FWC showed up and Metro-Dade Fire. We transported them to Metro-Dade Fire to make sure all of them were healthy," Conrad said.
One woman with a young child said they were fine. Actually, nearly everyone said they're OK.
There was one man who hurt his foot after it got stuck in the mangrove.
While he was in pain, he wanted his family to know he made it.
"Tell my family I love them… to my mom, my brother, the kids and my wife," he said in Spanish.
The group was taken to the Dania Beach Border Patrol Station.
As they were one step closer to their new life in the U.S., federal authorities launched an investigation into how they arrived at Sands Key in Biscayne Bay.
"We believe this was an organized maritime smuggling event by a smuggling organization. It was not a rustic vessel. We were told on scene by our operators," explained Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Lazaro Guzman.
The group said they left Matanzas, Cuba on Saturday.
There's no word how long they were on Sands Key before being spotted.
Officials are asking for the public's help in tracking down those behind the suspected organized smuggling operation.
"We'd like to tell the members of the community if they can, and they have information that could lead to the successful prosecution or arrest, to contact us," Guzman said.
