Sumter, SC (WLTX) - Shaw Air Force base officials and Sumter Police say a civilian sub-contractor attempted to bring 25 illegal immigrants on the base.
Officials say the incident took place at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday to work on a construction project.
Airmen at the base say they noticed that some of the people in the group had improper identification. Officers refused them entry, and said they saw a lack of documentation.
Airmen then called the Sumter Police Department, who in turn contacted U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.
"This was great police work," said Maj. Mark Walsh, 20th SFS commander in a written statement. "Our Airmen did what they are supposed to do. There was no breach of Shaw's security. Throughout the situation, our security forces acted correctly and decisively."
Shaw officials say the sub-contractor has been identified as Palacio Drywall of Cornelius, N.C.
The 25 people were detained. Two were identified as fugitives and were taken to the Charleston County Detention Center. The other 23 were background checked and released on recognizance.
