PORTLAND – A dozen Hondurans believed to be illegal aliens were taken into custody Tuesday by police and immigration officials.

Police plan to investigate whether local employers have been exploiting the workers.

Authorities raided two apartments in Portland on Tuesday evening, according to Portland police Lt. Ted Ross. He said 10 of the Hondurans were living in one small apartment with no furniture, just mattresses on the floor.

In January, authorities arrested at least 19 illegal aliens in Bangor – 18 Mexicans and an El Salvadoran – in two separate raids on local motels.

Police believe many more illegal aliens are living in nearby apartments in Portland, Ross said.

“We have strong reason to believe that there are many more illegals that are there who we did not take today,” Ross said Tuesday.

He said police plan to interview the Hondurans’ employers because they believe local businesses have been paying their rent in exchange for labor. He declined to name the businesses.

“That amount of people living in that small apartment is not appropriate and not acceptable,” he said. “Businesses might be taking advantage of them because of their situation and the work environment.”