Federal authorities confirmed several arrests, some of them of Cuban citizens.
The arrests occurred without prior notice, at a common stop for those traveling on US 1.
Operation in the middle of the morning
The deployment occurred on November 21 during a joint action between ICE's Office of Air and Marine Operations and Customs and Border Protection agents.
The operation took place near mile marker 105, in front of the Winn-Dixie supermarket in Key Largo, where witnesses reported that southbound vehicles were stopped and several checkpoints were set up.
Authorities reported that the twelve arrested were in the United States without immigration authorization. They came from various countries, including Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, and Guatemala.
Helicopter and controls on the US 1
The operation included a Blackhawk helicopter that flew over the area and supported roadside checks.
Federal agents checked documents, intercepted vehicles, and verified identities in a stretch with high traffic of residents and workers traveling between the Keys.
Criminal records among those arrested
Information released by CBP indicates that all those arrested had criminal records.
The previous charges mentioned include illegal re-entry into the country after deportation, driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal possession of a firearm, possession of drugs with a weapon, assault, and domestic violence.
Cubans among those prosecuted
Authorities did not specify how many Cubans were in the group, but confirmed the presence of "several" citizens from the island.
The twelve detainees were transferred to the Border Patrol station in Marathon, where the corresponding deportation processes were initiated.
So far, none of the cases appeared in the federal court records consulted.
Next steps
The cases will continue to be processed in the coming weeks while deportation actions are defined for each one.
The operation reinforces the stricter approach applied in recent months in the southern part of Florida, where immigration controls have become more frequent.