JOHOR BARU: Several foreigners attempted to hide above the ceiling of a shop lot to avoid being detained by enforcement officers during Op Sapu raids in Taman Daya, here, on Friday.
Their bid, however, failed as their hiding spot was discovered by state Immigration Department officers.
They were among 44 undocumented migrants arrested by the Immigration officers.
State Immigration director Baharuddin Tahir said 13 premises were raided during the operation.
Some 93 individuals were checked, and 44 migrants were detained after they were unable to produce valid documents.
"Upon noticing our presence some attempted to flee, while some found places to hide, including in the space above the shop lot ceiling," he said.
The officers detained 34 Indonesians, including a 11-month-old girl, and 10 Myanmar nationals.
The oldest of the detainees was aged 53. All are being held at the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot.
Baharuddin said they violated numerous immigration laws and regulations for not possessing valid passes or permits to be in the country, overstaying, and for violating the conditions of their passes.