Twelve persons including two women were taken into police custody in Chillaw and Mahawewa areas while attempting to flee to Australia illegally yesterday, police said.

Police intelligence officers revealed the suspects were residents of Lunuwila, Mahawewa, Chillaw, Mulaitive, Pudukuduirippu, Jaffna and Akkarayakulam areas.

Two vans and two motor bikes which were used to transport the suspects were also taken into custody

The suspects are to be produce before the Chillaw Magistrates Court today. (Jude Samantha)