In one of the biggest operations of its kind, the Search and Follow up Department (SFD) has busted two gangs involved in trafficking and harbouring workers who were staying illegally in the country.
In all, 37 expatriates who were running the gangs and 78 housemaids, 39 drivers and 24 workers who had absconded from their sponsors were arrested.
It was based on a tip-off that the SFD formed a team to intensify the search for the offenders.
The first gang, which comprised 18 expatriates from different countries in East Asia, was found to be running 22 “houses” at various locations in Qatar.
After obtaining permission from the Public Prosecution, the SFD team raided the suspected houses simultaneously and arrested 49 housemaids and 39 drivers who had absconded from their sponsors. Complaints had already been filed against the absconders.
The second group, run by an Arab national, consisted of 19 expatriates from different nationalities. This group had six houses to accommodate the absconding workers. The houses were raided after securing permission from the Public Prosecution and 29 housemaids and 24 workers arrested. Their sponsors had complained that the workers were absconding.
During interrogation, the gangs confessed that they used to smuggle housemaids and drivers out of the houses of their sponsors, moved them out of Doha city, charged an amount from each and put them up at different houses to avoid the notice of security agencies.
Both groups are now in custody, awaiting completion of the investigation following which they will be referred to the relevant court.
SFD director Brigadier Nasser Eissa al-Sayed said the department would spare no efforts to confront such violations.
He pointed out that the offence came under human trafficking, “a menace which the country will fight with all means”.
The SFD director warned companies and individuals against harbouring violators of the state’s Residence Law and urged them to report to the authorities absconding cases at the earliest.
He further stressed that the department would continue the inspection drive regularly to apprehend all violators of Residence Law No 4/2009 that regulates the entry, exit, residence and sponsorship of expatriates.
The official urged residents not to co-operate with violators and absconding workers and not to employ them.
