Authorities Detain Nine Expatriates In Malé City Crackdown
Authorities arrest nine expatriates in Malé following joint operation | Photo: MPS
Nine expatriates have been arrested and placed in Immigration custody following a joint operation carried out in Malé City by the Maldives Police Service, Maldives Immigration, Maldives Customs Service, and the Ministry of Economic Development.
ގަވާއިދާ ހިލާފަށް އުޅޭ ބިދޭސީން ބަލައި ފާސްކުރުމަށް ކުރިއަށްދާ މަސައްކަތުގައި މިރޭ ފުލުހުންނާއި އިމިގްރޭޝަން ގުޅިގެން ހިންގި އޮޕަރޭޝަނުގައި 9 މީހަކު އިމިގްރޭޝަންގެ ބެލުމުގެ ދަށަށް ގެނެސްފައިވޭ. pic.twitter.com/RqHzYlmTJX
— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) November 29, 2025advertisement
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Police said the operation involved raids on eleven locations, including business premises, residential accommodations, and a brick-making workshop. The arrests were made as part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal expatriate activity.
The operation follows recent remarks by Minister of Economic Development Mohamed Saeed, who announced that efforts to address the issue of irregular expatriates would be intensified this week, with visible progress expected in the coming days.
The ministry has also urged the public to report information related to illegal expatriates and foreign-run businesses. It stated that numerous complaints have been received regarding unlicensed foreign trade, including cases where expatriates operate businesses by concealing ownership through local partners.
The ministry added that some expatriates were found to be active in sectors prohibited under the Foreign Investment Act, prompting enhanced enforcement measures.
In an update on Friday, Minister Saeed said that 29 businesses had been reported within the first 41 hours of opening the reporting channel for suspected illegal operations.
