Suva, Fiji: Fiji police in joint operation with officers from the Fiji Immigration department arrested nine Asians in four separate house raids conducted in Suva Friday night.

Assistant police spokesperson Sergeant Suliano Tevita said the nine, comprising of seven Chinese females and two Chinese males will be deported today.

Tevita said the seven Chinese females had breached conditions of their work permits, which did not allow for prostitution activities they were alleged to be engaged in.

Under the new Crimes Decree passed last week, Police now have the powers to raid and arrest person(s) they suspect of engaging in prostitution related activities, illegal in Fiji.

The two Chinese men, according to police were illegal immigrants because their visas had expired in 2004 and February 2008 respectively.

The Asians are being held at the Central Police Station in Suva.