(The Center Square) – More details are expected Friday on an operation at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in south Georgia’s Bryan County.
The Atlanta office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said 450 people were apprehended in an operation that began Thursday.
Steven Schrank, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Atlanta, said more details would be released. A timeline as to when the operation would end was not given.
The FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Georgia State Patrol were also involved, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said in a social media post that included a photo of the operations.
A ground-breaking ceremony was held at the plant in 2022 that included state officials. Hyundai officials said in 2024 the plant is a $7.59 billion investment that would create 8,500 jobs.
South Korean officials said some Koreans were detained.
“The economic activities of Korean investment companies and the rights and interests of Korean citizens must not be unfairly infringed upon during U.S. law enforcement operations,” the foreign ministry said in a statement reported by the BBC.
South Korean officials are on their way to the site, according to the statement.
