DEA agent speaks on ICE operations in South Mississippi after 16 arrests are made

On Monday, 16 arrest were made in an ICE operation at Gulf Coast Prestress in Pass Christian.

ICE Gulfport says they were working with other federal agencies to serve a notice of inspection and an immigration subpoena at the site in pass Christian. When officials with the agencies arrived, they saw a large group of figures running away from the site, leading to a chase in the brush behind the property, all caught on video.

In the end 18 people were apprehended, including one sixteen-year-old, who were all citizens of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. Two of those detained had immigration court dates and work authorization and were released, the rest were taken into ICE custody. ICE Gulfport says they conducted overnight monitoring of the sixteen-year-old and have transferred them to the office of refugee resettlement custody.

WXXV spoke to Steven Hofer, the Special Agent in charge of the DEA New Orleans Division, which also oversees Mississippi.

The DEA worked with ICE Gulfport on this operation and Agent Hofer gave WXXV an inside look on these operations across South Mississippi.