Six Romanian people arrested in immigration enforcement raid at Powys dairy farm

The Home Office said one of its Immigration Enforcement teams swooped on the Mid Wales farm at dawn on Tuesday (January 28).

It said the move was "part of the Government’s drive to crack down on those who abuse the immigration system".

It said the enforcement team had raided the business in Llangedwyn, acting on "intelligence of illegal working".

They arrested six people, two females and four males - all Romanian nationals - on suspicion of working in breach of visit visas.

One male was arrested as an "overstayer" in the UK as he has remained in the UK beyond his six months' visitor allowance.

The Home Office said that during his time here the man was working illegally at the farm.

The business owners could now face a fine of up to £240,000 as well as a prison sentence if they are found guilty of employing illegal workers and failing to conduct relevant pre-employment checks.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said: “There is no place in the UK for anyone who thinks they can abuse our immigration laws and exploit vulnerable people.

“Under our Plan for Change, we’re fixing a broken system by ramping up returns and enforcement activity and clamping down on rogue employers who subject workers to squalid conditions. 

“My message is clear – illegal workers, and those who employ them, will be identified and they will face the full force of the law.”

Eddy Montgomery, director of enforcement, compliance and crime at Immigration Enforcement, said: “Many people who come to the UK and end up working illegally are frequently sold a false narrative about their ability to live and settle here – these lies create a draw for dangerous small boat crossings and other routes of illegal migration.

 “Despite this premises being in a rural location, yesterday’s visit shows there is no hiding place from the law, and we will come after any business who thinks they can exploit illegal workers for their own gain.”