Joint operation targets illegal immigrants and unauthorized businesses

Three irregular immigrants have been arrested and five food outlets shut down in a joint operation led by Immigration, Customs, and the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA).

Police said 10 locations were searched during Tuesday’s operation. Of these, five outlets were issued notices and subsequently closed.

Three foreigners were taken into custody during the operation. Police also confirmed that three other foreigners had been arrested and remanded for five days late last month.

ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގައި ގަވާއިދާ ހިލާފަށް ވިޔަފާރިކޮށް، ސައްހަ ވިސާއެއް ނެތި އުޅެމުން ގެންދާ ބިދޭސީން ހޯދައި އަނބުރާ އެމީހުންގެ ގައުމުތަކަށް ފޮނުވާލުމަށް ކުރިއަށް ގެންދާ ސިލްސިލާ އޮޕަރޭޝަން ތަކުގެ ތެރެއިން، ފުލުހުންނާއި، އިމިގްރޭޝަން، ކަސްޓަމްސް އަދި މޯލްޑިވްސް ފުޑް އެންޑް ޑްރަގް… pic.twitter.com/lmQP4l01Gk

— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) January 13, 2026

Authorities say the government is intensifying efforts to regulate foreign workers and crack down on illegal immigrants. Immigration and police are conducting a wide-scale operation targeting unauthorized businesses and irregular foreign residents. Several such businesses have already been closed, and multiple arrests have been made.