South Florida Border Protection Agents Face Dangers as Smuggling Operations Reportedly on the Rise

May 31, 2022 Updated 9:37 A.M. ET

FLORIDA KEYS (FLV) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have seen an increase in smuggling operations off the South Florida coast in the last year, according to WSVN.

These officers patrol the waters and skies to prevent crime and drugs from entering the United States. 

“A lot of people don’t see how dangerous it really is out here and how much of an impact we’re actually making out here,” Jonathan said “We’ve seen an increase in smuggling operations in South Florida.”

Officers tell WSVN that their jobs have become more challenging as maritime smuggling events have increased by 300% within the last year. 

“These smugglers don’t take care of these people at all. They don’t really care about these people at all. They just care about money.”

CBP reports show in the last seven months agents have already responded to more than 104 smuggling events that hit the Florida shore, they say.

Border Protection also stops migrants traveling in the water. It is reported that 28 migrants came onto the Keys over a 12 hour period on the weekend. 

“People want to come here into the country and have an opportunity to work, right, and you have to think about the opposite side of that. There’s people here that are being deceived and forced into labor and into conditions that they don’t want to be in,” Fritz said.

Three large incidents reportedly occurred between January and March where 650 migrants from Haiti came ashore to the Florida Keys.