Authorities shuts down multiple cafes in Hulhumale’ Phase II, detain four undocumented migrants

Maldivian authorities served notice for closure of six cafes that failed to meet hygiene standards, and detained four expatriate workers who lacked valid visas, in raids on cafes in Hulhumale’ Phase II last week.

According to Maldives Immigration, the raids were conducted on Thursday by the special taskforce set up in a crackdown on illegal migrants in the country.

Maldives Immigration raided eight cafes in Hulhumale’ Phase II in collaboration with the police, the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA), the Health Protection Agency (HPA), and the Economic Ministry.

Six of the cafes were found to have been trading illegally and failed to meet hygiene standards. They were served with notice for closure.

ގަވާއިދާ ހިލާފަށް އުޅޭ ބިދޭސީން ބަލައި ފާސްކުރުމަށް ކުރަމުންދާ މަސައްކަތުގެ ތެރެއިން، ޓާސްކު ފޯސް އިން ވަނީ 2024 އޮގަސްޓު 22 ވަނަ ދުވަހު ހުޅުމާލެ ފޭސް 2 ސަރަހައްދުގައި ހިންގަމުން އަންނަ 08 ކެފޭއެއް ބަލައި ފާސްކޮށްފައި. މި އޮޕަރޭޝަންގައި އިމިގްރޭޝަން އާއި @PoliceMv ގެ އިތުރުން… pic.twitter.com/9F3nC6NRoM

— Maldives Immigration (@ImmigrationMV) August 25, 2024

Maldives Immigration said they also detained four migrants working in the cafes who lacked valid visas.

The special operation targeting illegal businesses run by migrants has uncovered multiple illegal businesses where food items commonly sold in stores and cafes are prepared in dilapidated houses and in unhygienic conditions.

Health Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has promised to shut down such businesses.

The Food Safety Act, which took effect on August 23, grants the MFDA additional powers, including the authority to penalize unregistered businesses with closure and fines of MVR 50,000 to MVR 100,000.