Maldives Immigration has detained an undocumented expatriate following targeted raids on cafe and takeaway outlets in Male’. The operation, announced via the agency’s official account on X, is part of a broader crackdown to address the rising number of illegal workers and unauthorized business activities in the capital.

During the inspection, immigration officers visited four separate establishments and screened six foreign nationals. Among them, one individual was found to be in violation of immigration regulations and was subsequently taken into custody. These efforts are spearheaded by the ‘Task Force on Illegal Expat Operations,’ which is tasked with resolving long-standing issues surrounding the migrant workforce.

Immigration officials highlighted a concerning trend of expatriates operating under so-called ‘open visas,’ which allow them to engage in unauthorized employment or manage private businesses for substantial financial gain. Furthermore, the agency noted that many illegal food businesses discovered in recent raids operate in unhygienic conditions, posing significant risks to public health.