Illegal immigrants 'hid under blankets' during raid

ABU DHABI // The Ministry of Interior caught 220 illegal immigrants during an inspection campaign in what inspectors called a "dodgy" residential area in Musaffah.

As security forces raided the houses recently, the violators, who were working illegally in the UAE, tried to hide under blankets on the floor, officials said yesterday.

Others tried to escape through windows and air-conditioning holes in the walls.

Others were caught holding on to their blankets under beds, and pulling them to the ground, as if "challenging the earth's gravity", said Maj Gen Nasser al Minhali, the assistant undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior.

The illegal immigrants' employer, SM, 29, was also arrested.

"Any violation to the laws [of residency] threatens all members of society, and the violator or infiltrator is considered a criminal project or a timed bomb, which requires everyone to respect these laws and co-operate in reporting illegal immigrants," Maj Gen al Minhali said.

hdajani@thenational.ae