Maldives Immigration has conducted a special raid operation targeting the Heenaamage parking area, detaining 17 individuals working without valid visas.

The location has been frequently flagged by the public due to concerns over significant foreigner control. As part of the operation, shops and cafes operated by foreigners in the area were searched.

Amid growing concerns over undocumented migrants, authorities have ramped up efforts to monitor workplaces and residences associated with migrant workers, with daily raids now a routine measure in the crackdown on illegal migration.

Over the past year, the Government has intensified its focus on addressing undocumented migration through several large-scale operations targeting illegal foreign workers.

Key initiatives, such as Operation Kurangi, have been introduced to systematically tackle the issue by collecting biometric data from all foreigners in the Maldives.

In addition, over 1,000 cases have been investigated through Immigration Watch, an online platform that enables the public to anonymously report illegal immigrants, unlawful entry attempts, and other migration-related issues in the Maldives.