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Eighteen people were arrested after police intercepted a large vessel loaded with contraband during an overnight operation off the coast at Point Cumana, Carenage.

Officers went to the seaside area between 8.15 p.m. on Tuesday and 2 p.m. on Wednesday, where they observed a vessel 73 feet long anchored offshore.

Police said several men were seen offloading boxes from the vessel. When officers identified themselves and called out, the men fled, scampering and jumping into the sea.