Over 60 Foreigners Arrested in Male’ Over Violations
Police and Immigration conducted a joint operation in Malé | Photo: MPS
A joint operation by the Maldives Police Service and Immigration authorities in Malé has resulted in the arrest of 66 foreigners suspected of living and working in the country illegally.
ގާނޫނާ ހިލާފަށް ވިޔަފާރިކުރާ، އަދި ސައްހަ ވިސާއެއްނެތި އުޅެމުންދާ ބިދޭސީން އެމީހުންގެ އަމިއްލަ ގައުމަށް އަނބުރާ ފޮނުވާލުމަށް ފުލުހުންނާއި އިމިގްރޭޝަން ގުޅިގެން އިއްޔެ މާލޭގައި ހިންގުނު އޮޕަރޭޝަނުގައި، ޖުމްލަ 66 ބިދޭސީން ވަނީ އިމިގްރޭޝަންގެ ބެލުމުގެ ދަށަށް ގެންގޮސްފައި. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/epfmEGUWrb
— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) November 13, 2025advertisement
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The operation took place last Wednesday, targeting areas where foreigners are reportedly engaged in business activities. Authorities checked 347 individuals and detained 66 for alleged immigration violations.
Police confirmed the operation was part of a coordinated effort to identify and deport foreigners residing in the Maldives without valid visas. Authorities described such operations as essential for ensuring public safety, maintaining social stability, and supporting economic health.
Immigration officials highlighted a growing trend of foreigners misusing open visas by working outside their registered employment or operating independent businesses. The government has pledged to address irregular immigration within the first three years of its current term.
