More than 400 foreign workers, including 175 Myanmar nationals, were arrested in Malaysia during immigration raids targeting construction sites and vegetable farms, according to a report by Malay Mail.

The operation took place on the morning of November 20 in Cameron Highlands, Pahang State, where many migrant workers are employed in agriculture and construction.

A total of 547 Malaysian enforcement personnel, including immigration officers, participated in the large-scale inspection.

According to Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, the raid was conducted roughly a month after local residents filed complaints about the growing presence of undocumented foreign workers in the area. “This area has become a major hotspot for foreign workers,” the director-general said. He added that the influx of foreign workers to work in plantations and highlands has raised concerns among locals.

A total of 1,886 foreigners were checked during the operation and 468 were arrested for immigration offences, he said, adding that some were found to be holding expired visas and temporary work permits that were believed to be fake without travel documents.

Those arrested were 175 Myanmar nationals, 174 Bangladeshis, 67 Indonesians, 20 Nepalis, 16 Pakistanis, 11 Indians, the Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, China and Cambodians, the report said. 388 were men and 76 were women, including four children.

The arrested were aged between 20 and 54, and hailed from Kelantan, The report added that they will be sent to immigration detention centers in Perak and Selangor.

Malaysia has arrested 83,994 illegal foreigners nationwide since the beginning of this year until November 18.