Police detained 45 individuals in connection with irregular immigration yesterday morning, a statement said Sunday.

Various sections of the police force conducted coordinated inspections in the areas of Qormi and Marsa, assisted by the Detention Services Agency, the statement said.

During the operation, 20 individuals from Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Syria, Gambia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Togo were found to be living in the country irregularly.

This operation followed another carried out in St. Julian’s and Paceville in recent days, where 25 other individuals were arrested after being found living or working in the country irregularly. They came from Syria, Nigeria, Ghana, Turkey, and India.

All the individuals were taken to a detention centre until the process for their return is completed, the statement said.