26 Cubans Taken Into Custody in the Keys by U.S. Border Patrol Agents: Coast Guard

Human smuggling suspected: Report

By Sebastian Del Marmol
Monday, Jan 16, 2012 | Updated 6:16 PM EST

Petty Officer 2nd Class Nick Ame/U.S. Coast GuardThe US Coast Guard helped border patrol agents deal with Cubans in the Lower Keys.

The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that 26 Cubans were intercepted in the Florida Keys and taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents last Friday morning.

Petty Officer Nick Ameen told NBC Miami that there was a landing and that Cuban nationals were involved but referred further questions to the border patrol, which took custody of the group.

Information requests to the U.S. Customs and Border patrol have not yet been returned.

A report in the Miami Herald said the group came ashore at the Newfound Harbor Keys as part of a suspected human-smuggling operation.

Witnesses told authorities that a speed boat left the area at a high rate of speed at around 7:30 a.m., said the report.

26 Cubans Taken Into Custody in the Keys by U.S. Border Patrol Agents: Coast Guard | NBC 6 Miami