Customs and Border Protection officials reportedly intercepted a smuggling vessel off the coast of Florida that carried foreign nationals, including over a dozen Chinese nationals, Fox News reported on Monday.

Officials told the outlet that the 27-foot boat was carrying nearly two dozen foreign nationals, including 13 Chinese nationals, and that all passengers were taken into custody without incident last week.

The interdiction, which was also carried out by Coast Guard personnel, resulted in the apprehension of one suspected smuggler, one Cuban national, 13 Chinese nationals, eight Ecuadorian nationals and one Dominican national.

Sources told Fox News that it is rare for Chinese nationals to attempt to enter the U.S. through maritime Caribbean routes that are typically used by Haitians, Dominicans and Cubans and often used land routes in California and Texas.

Officials said the illegal immigrants were transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent for processing and authorities seized the vessel.

The incident comes after the Coast Guard interdicted a vessel carrying 25 Chinese nationals attempting to illegally enter the United States a mile south of Key Biscayne, Florida, in June.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.