Major Immigration operation: 81 expats detained in two hours

Immigration shared a post on X stating an operation was conducted between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm where they raided 463 places, with 932 expatriates being checked as well.

The operation aimed at locating expatriates who have been living in Maldives illegally without a valid Visa and those who have been conducting business illegally.

Immigration has said that 81 expatriates who have been living in Maldives illegally have been detained. They have also shared 10 places where expatriates were illegally conducting business to the relevant offices. 

The operation to find expatriates conducting business illegally initially began on Sunday, with 24 expatriates having been detained on the first day.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had explained the situation regarding expatriates working in Maldives to the residents of Nilandhoo last Saturday. This occurred as he was giving a speech to the residents during his visit to Faafu Atoll.

The President stated that the amount of expatriates had grown quite a bit. With that, the amount of expatriates conducting business illegally had grown as well, said the President.

President Muizzu went on to say that an operation to find the individuals who were conducting said businesses and deport them would begin from Sunday.