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Police detained 16 illegal immigrants during a targeted operation conducted in the Maracas Bay area on Wednesday.

The exercise took place between 4 a.m. and 6.20 a.m. along Saddle Road, Santa Cruz, involving officers attached to the Maracas Bay Police Station, the San Juan Criminal Investigations Department, the North Eastern Division Task Force and the Inter-Agency Task Force.

Officers intercepted and searched a white Nissan NV350 panel van. Inside the vehicle were nine adult males, one adult female, four male juveniles and two female juveniles. Police also found a quantity of alcohol, cheese, sausage and items of clothing.