Immigration raid arrests

Three workers have been arrested after immigration officers raided two restaurants in Powys following tip-offs.

Officials from the UK Border Agency raided restaurants in Welshpool and Newtown. The three men arrested are now in immigration detention, pending deportation from the UK.

Jane Farleigh, regional director for the agency, said the businesses had been targeted following tip-offs.

She said two Bangladeshi men – a 41-year-old waiter and a 45-year-old chef – had been arrested at the the Gulshan Bengali Cuisine on Broad Street, Newtown.

The team also went to Welshpool Kebab House in Severn Street in Welshpool where an 18-year-old Turkish man was found working illegally behind the counter after overstaying his visa.

Both businesses have been issued with an on-the-spot penalty notice and could now be fined.

No-one was available to comment at the Gulshan Bengali Cuisine or Welshpool Kebab House earlier today.

Jane Farleigh said: "Two of the men had overstayed their visa and the other man, a 45-year-old chef, was found to have entered the UK illegally.

"Gulshan may now face a fine of up to £20,000 – £10,000 for each illegal worker – and the kebab shop could face a fine of up to £10,000.

She added: "To avoid the fine, the employers must now prove to the UK Border Agency that they carried out the correct right-to-work checks before giving the men jobs."

She said the UK Border Agency was committed to cracking down on illegal workers and urged anyone with information to get in touch.

"We frequently visit businesses in Powys and across Wales to target illegal workers and their employers'" she said.

"Illegal working is not a victimless crime because it undercuts legitimate businesses and the workers themselves are often exploited.

"Employers who break the rules face huge fines and we will not hesitate to impose them."

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business in Wales can contact the UK Border Agency on (02920) 924727.

By Anwen Evans