Maldives Immigration has detained 12 expatriate workers following a targeted raid on a garage in Hulhumalé Phase I earlier this week.

The operation was carried out on Monday by a joint special task force comprising Immigration officials and police, established to address cases of irregular migration across the country.

According to Immigration, a total of 20 expatriates were inspected and questioned during the raid.

Of those, 12 were found to be in violation of immigration regulations and were subsequently taken into custody.

The authorities have been intensifying enforcement actions against undocumented migration since the launch of a nationwide crackdown in 2023, which has resulted in the deportation of more than 12,000 expatriates.

As part of ongoing efforts, Immigration also introduced ‘Operation Kurangi’ in May 2024 to collect biometric data of all foreign workers in the Maldives, aimed at improving monitoring and documentation systems.

The third phase of the operation, rolled out in May, focuses on the rapid identification, arrest, and deportation of undocumented migrants as well as individuals with outstanding visa-related obligations.

Officials say such operations will continue as part of broader efforts to regulate foreign employment and strengthen compliance with immigration laws.