Several people were detained Thursday evening as a SWAT team and vice unit detectives served a search warrant in Van Nuys.

The warrant was served about 6:50 p.m. in the 14500 block of Archwood Street, near the intersection of Vanowen Street and Van Nuys Boulevard, according to Officer William Cooper of the Los Angeles Police Department.

At least 18 people were detained, according to KCAL9, which reported that people were being dragged out of the building and some were hiding in the rafters.

Shortly after 8 p.m., police were planning to use gas canisters to force the remaining suspects out of the building, and an ambulance was standing by, KCAL9 reported.

The reason the warrant was served was not immediately available.

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