PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago — Twenty-five people have been detained on suspicion of entering Trinidad and Tobago illegally after police intercepted a vessel along the country’s western peninsula.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said the detentions took place at about 11:30 pm on October 20, during an operation led by the Coastal and Air Support Unit, with assistance from officers of the Western Division.

During the exercise, officers used drones to search coastal and forested areas before stopping and searching a vessel carrying the 25 individuals.

The group was detained, and the vessel was seized.

The operation was conducted under Operation BLAST, which stands for Bringing Land, Air and Sea Together, under the direction of ACP Tactical Support.

Investigations are ongoing, with support from the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and the Immigration Division.