Twenty-two Cuban migrants have landed ashore the southern tip of Sanibel Island this morning -- the second landing in the same area in eight days, according to preliminary report from the U.S. Coast Guard's Fort Myers Beach station.

The migrants are currently being held at the Sanibel Police Station on 800 Dunlop Road. The parking lot at the police station is blocked off by yellow tape.

Sanibel police spokesman Maj. Michael Murray said 15 males, three females and four children are currently at the Sanibel police station. The children range in age from 9 to 15 years old. There are three boys and one girl.

Two of the children have been observed peeking out from behind a pick-up truck and gesturing to reporters.

Sanibel Police notified the Coast Guard at 6:20 a.m. about the landing, which was reported to be near the lighthouse on the southern tip of the island, at West Gulf Drive and Rabbit Road, police said. A resident in the area called it in to the police.

"By the time we got there they were standing there waiting for us,' Murray said. "This isn't the first time this has happened, so we are getting better at it."

The migrants are being finger-printed and photographed at the Sanibel Police Station. Customs Border Patrol from Pembroke Pines is expected to arrive shortly.

Murray said the migrants have been cooperative. One of them speaks English and is helping authorities communicate with the group.

Everyone appears to be healthy.

When asked why Sanibel has become a hot spot for smuggling, Murray said: "No idea. If I knew that we wouldn't have this problem."

A Lee County task force is covering the boat ramps and the surrounding waters to identify a possible smuggling vessel.

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