PASS CHRISTIAN, Miss. (WJTV) – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced 18 people were detained during a worksite enforcement operation in Pass Christian.

ICE agents, along with the U.S. Border Patrol’s Gulfport Station and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Gulfport, conducted the operation at Gulf Coast Prestress Partners, Ltd.

According to agents, a Notice of Inspection and immigration subpoena was served to Gulf Coast Prestress. They said while serving the paperwork and interviewing employees, agents observed a large group of individuals running from the back of the business property.

Agents said they arrested 18 individuals, who were identified as citizens of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. Two of the individuals had immigration court dates and work authorization and were released.

During the operation, agents said a 16-year-old from Mexico was identified. The teenager was transported to the Office of Refugee Resettlement custody.