Maldives Immigration has detained eight expatriate workers who were operating illegal takeaway coffee stands in Hulhumale’. The detentions took place Friday evening during a raid operation.
In a post on the social platform X, Maldives Immigration stated that the ‘Joint Task Force’ conducted the operation on Friday evening in Hulhumale’ Phase 1, targeting illegal expatriates suspected of running takeaway coffee businesses. The expatriates are now in custody, and the case is under further investigation.
The issue of illegal business activities by expatriates has been escalating in both Male’ City and Hulhumale’, particularly in the coffee shop sector. Many of these expatriates operate coffee stands near the Hulhumale’ ferry terminal.
A similar operation was conducted last weekend in Male’ City in collaboration with the police. This operation focused on illegal business activities in the local marketplace in Male’ and other markets across the city, resulting in 50 expatriates being taken into immigration custody.
Last week’s operation targeted the local market from Majeedhee Magu to the market near Villa Mart, as well as the market near the PSM office on Ameenee Magu. The raid revealed that these locations were crowded with expatriates running businesses illegally. Following the arrests, both markets were shut down.
Immigration Controller Mohamed Shamaan Waheed stated that those detained during last week’s raid included individuals running businesses without official permits and those operating additional businesses beyond those specified in their permits.
“These individuals will be deported from the Maldives in compliance with the policies,” said Shamaan.
Despite the prohibition against employing expatriates as shop clerks, this practice remains widespread in numerous businesses.
Multiple operations have been conducted to identify undocumented immigrants, resulting in several deportations. According to Maldives Immigration, nearly 1,800 expatriates have been deported from the country in the past seven months of the current administration.
The Maldives Immigration continues to address the issue of illegal business activities and undocumented expatriates through ongoing operations and investigations.
