ILLEGAL immigrants have again been caught working at an Indian restaurant after it was raided for the second time in less than a year.
The Red Fox, Tarporley, was targeted by UK Border Agency officers last Thursday, when they arrested and detained four Bangladeshi men.
The illegal workers, aged between 21 and 36, have been detained so steps can be taken for them to be deported.
In July last year The Red Fox was fined £50,000 after it was caught employing five illegal male workers, all of which were of Bangladeshi origin.
Two of the men had out-of-date visas and the other three were not allowed to work in the UK.
Eddy Montgomery, operations director at the UK Border Agency, said: “This is the latest in a series of operations we’ve carried out to tackle immigration crime in Cheshire, and more are planned.
“Illegal working has a serious impact on communities, taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work. Businesses which operate outside the law should be warned that they will be found and they will be punished.”
Kismet Miah, owner of The Red Fox, said it was a ‘shock’ when officers raided his premises as he thought they were legal workers.
He claims the men had valid student visas and passports, which he photocopied.
“I asked what checks I needed to carry out,” added Mr Miah. “We checked the documents and they were fine.”
Businesses unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers should call the UK Border Agency helpline on 0300 123 4699. Anyone who suspects illegal workers are being employed at a business can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
