Stowaway from Cuba arrested at Miami airport

MIAMI — A man who managed to hide in the undercarriage of a plane that originated in Havana, Cuba, was arrested in Miami.

The man was found hiding in a Swift Air private charter that landed at Miami International Airport just after midnight Friday, The Miami Herald reported. The Herald identified the man as Yunier García Duarte, a 26-year-old employee of José Martí Airport in Havana.

Duarte was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Miami.

Witnesses said they heard what sounded like a dog in the plane's cargo area before Duarte said he wasn't a dog and asked for water, WTVJ-TV reported.

The plane's pilot alerted air traffic control to the stowaway, according to WPLG-TV.

"Apparently, somebody came over in the belly of our aircraft," the pilot reportedly told ATC.

A ramp agent encountered Duarte while unloading baggage.

Twitter user @Srt_lex tweeted what appears to be a video of a man sitting on the ground, handcuffed next to a plane.

"Came from Havana to Miami inside the planes belly where the bags go," the tweet said.

CBP released the following statement:

“CBP officers remain vigilant to arrest persons trying to elude detection in violation of federal law. CBP’s mission is to facilitate travel while maintaining the highest standards of security for those who live here and for those who come to visit.”

Cox Media Group