Migrants Come Ashore Just Miles Apart In Broward

FORT LAUDEDALE (CBS4) U.S. Border Patrol is investigating a suspected maritime smuggling event in Fort Lauderdale.

"I'm very surprised I still can't stop saying I'm shocked," said Kelli Meagher, a Fort Lauderdale resident who witnessed a boat carrying migrants come ashore.  "We saw the boat pull up and we saw about 10 people probably get off. They looked like they were already dressed had backpacks, sneakers, and whatever then they jumped out."

According to the Broward Sheriff's Office, around 7 a.m. deputies and marine units responded to A1A just south of Commercial Boulevard in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea in reference to a boat carrying migrants and witness say the entire scene was over in a matter of minutes.

"It really was fast. I mean it happened quick .They jumped off that boat and they were running," added Meagher.

Hours later, a second boat came ashore, this time landing near the 2100 block of Atlantic boulevard. Officials say approximately 15 migrants were on that boat.

"Just to see it! You hear about it, but you don't think that it really happens. It was quick, it was really easy for them, I mean it's that easy to get in and infiltrate our country," said Meagher.

Multiple agencies were on scene, including U.S. Border Patrol and Department of Homeland Security. Officials say so far, they have detained nine of the migrants.

But those like Meagher who watched the scene unfold remain in disbelief.

"You could see the Coast Guard come, the police boat, then a second boat, helicopters looking, geez it was just crazy, crazy, I'm shocked," added Meagher.

U.S. Border Patrol will be taken the migrants into custody of the migrants.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Department of Homeland Security.