Thirteen Expats Detained in Immigration Raid on Unsanitary Food Preparation Site
Photo: Maldives Immigration
Maldives Immigration has detained thirteen expatriates following a raid on a site where food products were being prepared for sale under conditions posing public health risks.
According to Maldives Immigration, the operation targeted expatriates conducting business and residing in the Maldives in violation of immigration laws. The detained individuals were found operating and living on the premises.
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2025 ޖަނަވަރީ 23 ވަނަ ދުވަހު ޓާސްކުފޯހުން މާލޭގައި ހިންގި ރެއިޑު އޮޕަރޭޝަނެއްގައި، އާންމު ސިއްހަތަށް ނުރައްކާވާ ގޮތަށް، ބިދޭސީން ދިރިއުޅެ، ވިޔަފާރި ކުރަމުންދިއަ ތަނެއް ވަނީ ބަލައި ފާސްކޮށްފައި. އަދި ގަވާއިދާ ހިލާފަށް މިތަނުގައި އުޅެމުންދިއަ 13 ބިދޭސީއަކު ވަނީ އިމިގްރޭޝަންގެ… pic.twitter.com/TYaweEshqg— Maldives Immigration (@ImmigrationMV) January 25, 2025
Footage released after the raid shows food being produced in a cramped and unsanitary environment. The space also contained rows of beds, highlighting poor living conditions for the expatriates.
It is illegal for expatriates to operate businesses in the Maldives. Immigration authorities have intensified efforts to identify and close such operations through regular inspections and enforcement actions.
As part of these efforts, Maldives Immigration launched the ‘Immigration Watch’ portal last year. The platform enables the public to report illegal activities involving expatriates. Within the first four months of its launch, over 1,000 cases were reported via the portal.
In recent years, authorities have deported more than 5,000 expatriates for violations of immigration laws and regulations, underscoring the government’s commitment to addressing these issues.
