Immigration Arrests Nine Foreign Nationals in Connection with Alleged Prostitution Ring
Maldives Immigration has revealed the arrest of nine foreign nationals allegedly involved in operating a large-scale prostitution ring within the country.
The detainees, comprising seven women and two men, were apprehended through a series of raids targeting spa facilities, with assistance from the Maldives Police Service.
ރާއްޖޭގައި ފުޅާދާއިރާއެއްގައި ހަށިވިއްކުމުގެ ވިޔަފާރިކުރަމުންދިއަ ބިދޭސީން ހޯދުމަށް އިމިގްރޭޝަނާއި ފުލުހުން ގުޅިގެން މި އޮކްޓޫބަރު މަހުގައި ވަނީ ހާއްސަ އިންސްޕެކްޝަން ތަކެއް ހިންގާފައި. އެގޮތުން މިފަދަ 05 މައްސަލައަކާއި ގުޅިގެން ބިދޭސީ 07 އަންހެނަކު އަދި އެޖެންޓުންގެ ގޮތުގައި… pic.twitter.com/TsFCzVWCSY— Maldives Immigration (@ImmigrationMV) October 27, 2024
The arrests took place over multiple dates, beginning on 7 October when the first suspect, a 27-year-old woman, was detained. Two days later, authorities detained two more women, aged 35 and 41, along with two men, both aged 30. A further arrest was made on 15 October when a 33-year-old woman was taken into custody. The latest detentions occurred last week, involving four women aged 21, 23, and two aged 36.
Following investigations, Maldives Immigration reported that six of the individuals—five women and one man—have been deported with an indefinite re-entry ban. The remaining three are set to be deported after further procedural reviews.
While the names and ages of the suspects were disclosed, authorities have not revealed their nationalities.
This recent action is part of a broader governmental initiative aimed at addressing illegal immigration and unlawful activities involving expatriates. In February, the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology identified 111 establishments in the Greater Malé area suspected of links to prostitution. Regular inspections of these locations have been a core part of the effort, which aims to resolve illegal immigration issues within three years.
The government has set a goal to deport 5,000 undocumented foreign nationals by the end of the year. As of 21 October, a total of 4,361 individuals have been deported under this initiative.