Nine irregular immigrants arrested in joint raids by Police, Immigration, Customs, and Economic Ministry

Nine expatriates have been arrested and taken into Immigration custody following a joint operation conducted in Male' city by the Maldives Police Service, Immigration, Customs, and the Ministry of Economic Development, police confirmed on Friday evening.

According to a social media post by police, eleven locations were raided during the operation, including business premises, residential accommodations, and a brick-making workshop. The arrests were part of a broader crackdown on illegal expatriate activity.

The operation follows a statement by Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed, who said on Thursday evening that efforts to address the issue of irregular expatriates would be accelerated starting this week, with visible results expected soon.

Minister Saeed also shared an announcement from the Economic Ministry, urging the public to report information on illegal expatriates and foreign-run businesses. The ministry said it has received numerous complaints about widespread illegal foreign trade, including cases where expatriates are operating businesses by concealing ownership behind local partners.

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, 2025

The ministry further noted that some expatriates are active in sectors prohibited under the Foreign Investment Act, prompting increased enforcement.

In a follow-up post on Friday, Minister Saeed revealed that 29 businesses were reported within the first 41 hours of opening the reporting channel for illegal operations.