The Immigration Department believes that the Asian females arrested during raids by police and immigration department in parts of Suva were allegedly part of prostitution ring.

Director, Major Nemani Vuniwaqa said since December last year they are conducting surveillance to clamp down on illegal immigrants and the raids were part of it.

He adds upon detaining the nine Asian nationals, the two male Asian nationals confirm the females were allegedly involved in prostitution.

He said these people were on visitor’s visa and two females visa expired last year.

He believes there are more illegal immigrants in the country and the Immigration department and police are working closely to detain others.

Immigration officers and police raided four houses in Lekutu St, Nailuva and Extension St between Friday night and yesterday morning where 7 Chinese women nationals were arrested in a separate case, two male Asian national were taken in after police and immigration officials had found them with expired visas.

One which had expired in 2004 while the second man's had expired while the second man's had expired last year.

All nine are awaiting deportation.