The raids on expatriate workers who violate the country's immigration laws continue with nearly 100 detained in the latest operations.
About a 100 foreigners operating businesses illegally in Malé and Hulhumalé have been detained in the recent raid operations, revealed Maldives Immigration today.
According to Immigration, a total of 99 expatriates were arrested in the operations carried out from 29th July until yesterday in collaboration with Maldives Police Service.
The agency is now in the process of getting their documents in order before deporting them, Immigration said, adding that nearly 1,800 foreigners have been deported from the country since the current administration came into power.
In ongoing operations, authorities detained more foreigners operating small retail and takeaway coffee shops in Malé last night.
Prior to this, two local markets were also raided where foreigners manning stalls there were taken into custody. With almost all of the expatriates working there taken into custody, both markets were officially closed by around 20:00 hrs that night and remained closed for the next 2-3 days.
A second raid on the markets a second time saw more foreigners taken away as well. With this, the 'Half Price' market had to be closed entirely with no one left to attend the stalls.
Authorities also apprehended a key person in the illegal business operations of foreigners last Monday. Along with the individual, three foreign males and a female were also taken into custody from the site.
As authorities double down on their efforts to put a stop to undocumented migrants and those who defy the law, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan said that they would not stop until the issue is entirely tackled.
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