Two Miami residents, Ezequiel Perez Benitez and Miguel Avoy, have admitted guilt in federal court to participating in a conspiracy to smuggle 69 individuals into the United States by sea. The activities took place between July 2024 and March 2025 and involved at least three separate ventures.
According to court documents, the operation used “go-fast” boats traveling from Miami-Dade County to Bahamian waters. On return trips, these vessels were intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (CBP-AMO) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). The smuggling ring transported people of various nationalities, including those from China and Ecuador.
The scheme also included moving individuals within the United States after their unlawful entry. Baisheng An, a Chinese national involved as a co-defendant, pleaded guilty on June 9 for his role in the conspiracy and was arrested by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) during an operation focused on human smuggling networks.
After being interdicted at sea, all individuals were either prosecuted for illegal reentry, returned to the Bahamas, or handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for further immigration proceedings. Authorities have charged several other conspirators in related cases.
Avoy received a sentence of 24 months in prison for his involvement. Perez is scheduled for sentencing on October 30 in Miami, where he faces up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a possible $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida stated: “United States Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jose R. Figueroa of HSI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement.”
The investigation was led by HSI Miami with support from CBP-AMO and USCG’s Southeast Coast Guard District. Special Assistant United States Attorney Tanner Stiehl is prosecuting the case.
Further information about this case can be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl as well as through related court documents available at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-10027.
