State director Kennith Tan Ai Kiang said the operation was carried out early Monday following public complaints.
"We received information that many foreigners were working illegally in the area and decided to check it out. "My men inspected 10 premises in the area selling vegetables, chicken and fish and food stalls during the operation around 5.45am on the said day and detained the suspects," he said in a statement.
He said upon checking, eight Indonesians, five Myanmar nationals and one Pakistani were found to have either overstayed, entered the country illegally or contravened conditions in their passes.The suspects have since been remanded and sent to the Immigration depot in Lenggeng. Tan said nine Malaysians who were believed to be owners of the premises have also been asked to be present at the department to assist in investigations.