Twelve Venezuelan nationals are expected to appear before a magistrate charged with illegal entry into the country and aiding and abetting, following the interception of a vessel off the Icacos coast on August 13.

According to reports, Coast Guard officers intercepted a vessel carrying 20 passengers, six men, six women, and eight children, as well as 32 buckets of cheese, 14 bullfinch birds, and four crocus bags of meat.

Police said after investigations, instructions were given to lay charges against 12 of the immigrants. The eight children were released into the care of their immediate relatives.