23 Foreigners Detained for Illegal Trading at Hulhumale’ Market

In a significant crackdown on illegal immigrants and business operations, Maldivian immigration authorities have detained 23 foreigners at the Rashu Market in Hulhumale’ Phase 1. The operation, conducted in cooperation with the Health Protection Agency and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, revealed illegal business activities in 15 stalls at the popular ‘Rashu Market.’

Among the 23 individuals taken into custody were 15 men and 8 women, all of whom were found to be involved in unauthorized business activitoies. Immigration authorities, in a post on X, confirmed that a total of 30 immigration officers and 24 police officers participated in the raid, which was part of an ongoing campaign to identify and address illegal immigration and business activities in the country.

This recent raid is part of a broader government initiative aimed at addressing the migrant crisis and tracking down illegal immigrants operating across the Maldives. The government has pledged to bring all expatriate information into a centralized database within the next year, with the ultimate goal of resolving the ongoing migrant crisis within three years.

So far, more than 4,000 foreigners have been deported as part of the immigration authority's efforts. These operations, which are expanding to cover all islands in the country, highlight the government's commitment to ensuring legal compliance and proper documentation for expatriates residing and working in the Maldives.