Immigration detains more expats from two local markets

Maldives Immigration has brought more expatriates into their custody.

This was done as part of an ongoing operation to track down undocumented migrant workers in the Maldives, involved in illegal businesses.

Authorities raided two more local markets as part of the operation, on Sunday.

The immigration department revealed that the operation was conducted in partnership with the Maldives Police Service (MPS).

The operation saw four men and two women taken into the custody of the Immigration department.

These operations will continue uninterrupted, according to the department.

As part of the operation, four places operating as markets in the Greater Malé Region were raided earlier and a total of 83 migrants were taken into police custody where statements were recorded.

These included foreigners who do not have valid visas, those who are working in a place other than where they have obtained permission to work, and those who do business on their own outside the work where a permit has been issued.

Immigration has since commenced the process of deporting the migrant workers who have been arrested as part of the raid, in collaboration with relevant authorities.

As part of these efforts, more than 1,800 migrant workers residing illegally in the Maldives have been deported so far.

Further, two expatriates were arrested for involvement in an extensive foreign exchange network last week. They are accused of being extensively involved in foreign exchange activities.

Further, six suspects who were arrested on 9 March 2024 were recently deported. They were all Bangladeshi nationals.