24 foreigners in 24 hours: Immigration operation targets illegal traders

Maldives Immigration has announced the detention of twenty-four foreign nationals within the past 24 hours as part of an ongoing operation launched on Sunday to address illegal trading activities.

The operation commenced with searches conducted in nine areas of Male' city on Sunday, leading to the subsequent detentions.

Immigration Controller General Ahmed Faseeh informed state media on Sunday at the launch of this operation that a significant portion of illegal businesses in the Maldives are operated by Maldivian citizens.

Consequently, enforcement actions will target both foreign nationals and Maldivians involved in these unauthorized commercial ventures, he said. Faseeh also acknowledged the operation's complexity, citing the involvement of influential individuals and established business figures, and stressed that success hinges on diligent and concerted efforts.

ގަވާއިދާ ހިލާފަށް ރާއްޖޭގައި ވިޔަފާރިކުރަމުންދާ ބިދޭސީންނަށް އަމާޒުކޮށް އިއްޔެ ޓާސްކްފޯސްއިން ހިންގި ހާއްސަ ހަރަކާތުގައި މާލޭގެ 9 ސަރަހައްދެއް ބަލައި ފާސްކޮށް، ގަވާއިދާ ހިލާފަށް އުޅެމުންދިއަ 24 ބިދޭސީއަކު ވަނީ އިމިގްރޭޝަންގެ ބެލުމުގެ ދަށަށް ގެނެވިފައި. ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ ޑރ.… pic.twitter.com/9tw7DK5451

— Maldives Immigration (@ImmigrationMV) September 22, 2025

Assistant Commissioner of Police Mohamed Dawood outlined the three-phase approach of the operation. The initial phase will focus on the Male' area, followed by densely populated islands in the second phase, and finally, smaller populated islands in the third phase.

The operation was initially announced by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday evening. He stated that its objective is to identify and close down businesses operated illegally by foreigners in the Maldives. The President also indicated that the operation, which will prioritize larger populations, will include the deportation of those apprehended.