Port elizabeth: Police in the Sarah Baartman District in the Eastern Cape have arrested 139 suspects for a range of crimes, including drug dealing, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and immigration offences. The operations, which were conducted between June 1 and June 7, led to the arrest of 35 undocumented foreign nationals, as well as a 45-year-old documented Chinese business owner.According to South African Government News Agency, the business owner was taken into custody during Operation Identity, which was carried out in St Francis Bay, Humansdorp, and Hankey. The Chinese national was arrested under Section 49(3), read in conjunction with Section 38 of the Immigration Act No. 13 of 2002, for employing foreign nationals without valid permits. Fines totaling R55,500 were issued.The operations come as the government has recently adopted the Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management, aimed at strengthening border security, enforcing immigration laws, and tackling corruption. In an address to the nation on June 7, President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined measures that showed the government is intensifying efforts to combat illegal immigration and its related effects, including organized crime.The President emphasized that illegal migration routes often overlap with organized crime, with criminal syndicates involved in trafficking, extortion, illegal mining, drugs, and money laundering using undocumented migration for recruitment and concealment of goods. The government is increasing pressure on businesses hiring undocumented immigrants, paying them below minimum wage, and making them work longer hours without due compensation.To address these issues, the Department of Employment and Labour has launched the phased recruitment of 10,000 inspectors for this financial year to rebuild labour enforcement capacity. President Ramaphosa announced that penalties for employers violating the Immigration Act will be increased, potentially including imprisonment.In addition to immigration offences, the Crime In telligence-led operations in the Sarah Baartman District resulted in the arrest of 26 suspects for drug-related crimes. Items recovered and illicit drugs seized during these operations include mandrax, tik, cocaine, magic mushrooms, and rock kat, with a combined estimated street value of more than R311,885.Brigadier Abduraghmaan Humphries, the Acting District Commissioner of the Sarah Baartman District, praised the joint efforts of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the multidisciplinary teams involved in the operations. He urged locals to report illegal employment through proper channels instead of resorting to intimidation, violence, or unlawful protests. The suspects are due to appear before various Magistrate's Courts soon.