Seventeen people found living in Malta irregularly
Operation is the latest in a series of immigration-related inspections carried out in recent weeks
Seventeen Syrian nationals were taken to a detention centre after being found living in Malta irregularly during inspections in several parts of Marsascala.
The inspections were carried out by police officers together with officials from the Detention Services Agency.
The individuals are being held pending the completion of administrative and legal procedures required for their return to the country where they have the right to reside.
The operation is the latest in a series of immigration-related inspections carried out by police and detention services officers in recent weeks.
Last week, 108 people were detained after being found staying in Malta illegally, with arrests made during inspections in several areas, particularly Marsa and Ħamrun.
In another recent operation, 34 people were detained following inspections on public transport and in public spaces in Blata l-Bajda and Rabat. Police said those detained were from Nigeria, India, Ghana, The Gambia, Senegal and Ivory Coast.
A week earlier, 22 people were held after raids in Blata l-Bajda, Ħamrun, Marsa, Fgura and Rabat, including searches in private residences.
Police have also carried out similar inspections in Ħamrun, Qormi and St Paul’s Bay, where 19 people were arrested after being found living in Malta irregularly.
The authorities said targeted inspections would continue around the country to address irregular migration, breaches of employment laws and the exploitation of vulnerable people.
Malta remained committed to meeting its national and international obligations while enforcing its laws with full respect for fundamental rights, the authorities said.