Authorities in Florida discovered over 30 migrants, primarily Chinese citizens, concealed within a U-Haul truck on Friday following a reported abduction. The incident unfolded in Coral Gables, a Miami suburb, when a security guard observed a potential abduction involving a Toyota and a U-Haul around 9:35 a.m., according to Coral Gables Police Chief Edward James Hudak Jr. The guard promptly notified a patrol officer, leading to a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) alert for the vehicles.

Upon stopping the vehicles, police rescued the allegedly abducted woman from the Toyota. Subsequent investigation of the U-Haul revealed 16 Chinese women, 15 Chinese men, one Cuban man, and one Ecuadorian woman. Additionally, the Toyota contained a Cuban man, a Brazilian woman, and an Ecuadorian man.

Chief Hudak stated, "We believe these individuals arrived by sea, likely dropped off near southern Coral Gables and then loaded into the van." Authorities suspect the possible abduction involved the woman attempting to escape from smugglers. The migrants received medical attention from the Coral Gables Fire Department and were reported to be fatigued but otherwise healthy.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass emphasized the significance of this event in highlighting the need to address illegal immigration, echoing the governor's call for a special legislative session. The migrants were transferred to U.S. Border Patrol custody, while four individuals connected to the incident were apprehended by police. Chief Hudak commended the alert citizen whose report initiated the intervention, potentially saving lives. While authorities have stopped several vessels in nearby waters, the boat used to transport the migrants remains unidentified.