Immigration raids illegal home-based food business, detains 15 migrants

Maldivian authorities have detained 15 migrants in a raid on an illegal food business run out of a dilapidated house in Male’ City, in conditions that fall far below food safety standards.

According to Maldives Immigration, the authorities raided Bianca, in Henveiru district of Male’, on Saturday. The raid was conducted based on a tip received by the special taskforce set up in a crackdown on illegal migrants in the country.

“And 15 migrants living illegally there were taken into the custody of Immigration,” said the agency.

The business was also served a notice for closure.

Photos shared by Immigration in a post on X show a dirty kitchen, with pots and plastic containers with curry, and portions of rice packed in plastic bags.

Immigration conducted the raid with support from the police, the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA), the Health Protection Agency (HPA), and the Economic Ministry.

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.