LOUISVILLE, United States (CMC) —  The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says its agents have arrested a Cuban among 81 illegal immigrants as part of a joint federal law enforcement operation in Kentucky.

ICE did not identify the Cuban national but said that 25 of the apprehended immigrants were also charged with felony criminal offences.

On Wednesday ICE said some of the criminal offenses included illegal re-entry, illegal possession of firearm and illegal possession of controlled substances.

“Illegal aliens who were not charged criminally will be held in ICE custody pending removal proceedings,” said ICE, stating that arrests also included illegal immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, India and Palau.

ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Chicago Field Office Director Sam Olson said: “Public safety relies on the expertise of ICE officers who are able to coordinate across federal agencies to accomplish these arrests.”

“Operations that lead to the arrest and detention of alien offenders can be complex and may, at times, prove to be challenging,” he added. “Our agency is more than capable to meet those challenges.”

“I’m grateful for all our federal partners here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and we are committed, as a united group, to removing individuals from our communities who pose a threat to public safety and national security,” Olson continued.

ICE said partner law enforcement participating in the operation included the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); US Marshals Service; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Criminal charges by indictment or criminal complaint are pursued by the US Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of Kentucky and the Eastern District of Kentucky, ICE said.