JOHOR BARU: The Johor Immigration Department has arrested 26 illegal immigrants during a raid in the city centre, here.

The department’s acting director Mohd Faizal Shamsudin said the raid was conducted on seven premises under Ops Sapu and Ops Selera at midnight on Monday (June 3).

“The raid was conducted following reports of illegal immigrants at the location.

“A total of 45 individuals were inspected, and 26 have been arrested.

“Our investigation also found out that one of the premises has been turned into a place of worship by the immigrants living in the area,” he said in a statement.

Mohd Faizal added that the department also busted an illegal restaurant operated by foreigners.

The arrests consist of 16 men and a woman from Myanmar, seven men from Indonesia, a man from India, and a woman from Thailand, all aged between 22 and 47.

The case is being investigated under Section 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations of 1963 for abuse of social visit passes and Sections 6(1)(c) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act of 1959/63 for overstaying and entering the country without valid travel documents.