An illegal migrant who was arrested under accusations of butchering, cooking and selling food made with cat meat has been deported.

The case was closed and MD Arfat Hossain, 32, was deported due to lack of evidence of preparing food with cat meat.

On Sunday, Maldives Police Service (MPS) revealed that they could not find any evidence to suggest Arfat had prepared food using cat meat during the investigation, and that there was insufficient evidence to conduct a criminal investigation against the accused, with which the probe was wrapped up.

The police said that the accused was handed over to the Maldives Immigration and has since been deported.

According to the immigration department, Arfat was deported for violating immigration laws by conducting business illegally in the Maldives.

Arfat was kept at a detention facility during this period as the police were investigating the accusations pinned on him.

The Bangladeshi citizen was taken into Immigration custody on 20 August 2024.

Information circulating on social media about the accused indicates that he was suspected of working illegally, slaughtering cats, preparing food from their meat, and selling it. Alongside preparing and selling food parcels at home, the illegal migrant also worked at the Valhomas Market.

Videos released by the immigration department have confirmed that Arfat used to prepare food in very unhygienic conditions, using expired ingredients.

The issue garnered public attention following a post on social media by Feline Welfare Organization, a local NGO. Arfat was identified by the animal rights group as an illegal expatriate working in the capital, Malé City. The issue of the illegal migrant native to Bangladesh was brought to the attention of the Maldives Police Service (MPS) not long after.

Unhygienic food handling practices and food safety standards are grave issues among the Maldivian communities and this particular case has churned public outcry, with several pouring onto social media platforms demanding to know the details of the suspect’s food business.

The case has made the spotlight amid a widescale operation being conducted by authorities to crackdown on groups of illegal migrants residing and working in the Maldives.

Several locations have been raided in the capital region so far and hordes of illegal migrants are being arrested and deported for being involved in illegal businesses.

Content released by the immigration department shed light on the unsanitary conditions of these locations, prompting criticism of the Health Ministry and the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA).