Immigration detains 107 foreigners in Thoddoo after islandwide sweep of 507 individuals

Maldives Immigration has detained 107 irregular immigrants in a special operation conducted in AA. Thoddoo on Saturday.

Immigration said the task force launched the operation following public complaints about the growing number of irregular immigrants on the island. Officers searched 507 foreigners between 6:00 am and 4:00 pm, and arrested 107 who were found to be living or working in violation of immigration laws.

Thoddoo, known for its large agricultural sector, relies heavily on foreign labour for irrigation, harvesting and transporting produce. However, authorities say the number of irregular workers on the island has been rising again.

ގަވާއިދާ ޚިލާފަށް އުޅޭ ބިދޭސީންގެ މައްސަލަ ބޮޑުކަމަށް، އާންމުންގެ ގިނަ ޝަކުވާތަކެއް ލިބެމުންދާ އއ. ތޮއްޑޫއަށް އަމާޒުކޮށްގެން ޓާސްކްފޯސްއިން މިއަދު ވަނީ ހާއްސަ އޮޕަރޭޝަނެއް ހިންގާފައި.

ހެނދުނު 6:00 އިން ހަވީރު 4:00 އަށް ހިންގި މި އޮޕަރޭޝަނުގައި ޖުމްލަ 507 ބިދޭސީއަކު ބަލައި… pic.twitter.com/TOdslCGhNY

— Maldives Immigration (@ImmigrationMV) September 19, 2026

This is not the first major enforcement action in Thoddoo. In an earlier operation, the Thoddoo Council, Immigration and Police deported more than 300 foreigners who were found to be working illegally.

The latest arrests form part of the wider crackdown on irregular immigrants under Operation Kurangi.