Two Ghanaian nationals were yesterday arrested for allegedly possessing fake work permits at Kijiwetanga area in Malindi constituency of Kilifi County.

Christian Oware Danqua and Jesse Appiah Larbi were arrested by Police together with immigration officials after getting a tip off from members of the public.

The suspects were operating a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre at Kijiwetanga with fake documents. Security personnel and immigration officials raided the centre and managed to arrest them.

Officials said the fake documents were stamped under class G of the entry permit for one year and allowed them to be in the country for consultancy and advocacy.

Reports said they were hiding in the village to avoid being discovered by police or immigration officials. It however emerged that their mission went sour and were living in pathetic condition after they went bankrupt.

A reliable source who was at the scene of arrest said the Ghanaians had turned out to depend on relatives of the recovering addicts for food and other means of survival.

They are now being held at the Malindi Police station waiting to be taken to court tomorrow (today). Mr. Moses Omwango the deputy Immigration officer in Malindi said the suspects would be charged with three offenses including being in the country illegally, possessing forged work permits and working without work permits.

He appealed t the public to come out and report any suspicious foreigners not recognized in the localities. "They may not know the foreigner's motive but such people could be hiding and doing illegal businesses," he said in his office when contacted for comment.

The senior immigration officer said they were planning to conduct a major crackdown against such foreigners in order to wipe out such foreigners.

He said they shall meet with police bosses to work out on the plan to search illegal foreigners in the country. "The crackdown is a directive from our director against illegal foreignersto ensures they are completely wiped out in the country," he said.

The arrest comes a time when the high tourism season in Malindi is beginning and thousands of foreign tourists expected in the country.