Latest news and updates
Ten arrested in South Wales illegal working raids
13 February 2012
Ten men are in detention following a series of our raids at businesses in Caerphilly and Newport.
Acting on information received, our officers went to the Spar store, Mill Road, Caerphilly, on Thursday, 9 February.
Immigration checks revealed that a 25 year old Indian man was working in breach of the conditions of his visa, while a 28 year old Indian man had stayed in the country after his visa expired.
Later the same day, our officers went to a second Spar store - in St Cenydd Road, Trecenydd, Caerphilly.
There, a 27 year old Indian man was found to be a failed asylum seeker while checks found a 37 year old Indian man had overstayed his visa.
Finally, our officers went to Top Stores, Heol Aneurin, Penyrheol, Caerphilly, where 2 more immigration offenders from India were found working.
A 21 year old man had overstayed his visa, while a 32 year old was a failed asylum seeker.
All 6 men arrested on Thursday remain in Ystrad Mynach police station pending their transfer to immigration detention and removal from the UK.
The previous Friday (3 February) 4 more illegal workers were arrested at Delhi restaurant, Caerleon Road, Newport.
Entering the premises at 8.30pm, our officers carried out checks on staff and found that 4 Bangladeshi men - who were working as chefs and waiters - had overstayed their visas.
They were arrested and are currently in immigration detention awaiting removal to Bangladesh.
All 4 businesses caught employing illegal workers face a penalty of up to £10,000 for each offender, unless evidence is provided to the UK Border Agency that the correct pre-employment checks were carried out on the men.
David Griffiths, head of Gwent local immigration team , UK Border Agency said:
'This series of successful raids shows that our officers will track down immigration offenders wherever they are.
'As well as cracking down on people who are here illegally, we are taking action against the businesses which employ them.
'Any business that takes on a foreign national without permission to work is breaking the law and faces a heavy fine.'
Every year, the UK Border Agency imposes civil penalties on hundreds of companies which fail to carry out legally-required checks on their staff.
The agency provides support to employers so they can understand the rules, including visits by staff, a dedicated telephone helpline and website.
Anyone who has information on suspected immigration offenders can use our report a crime form on this website.
For more information and contact details for the Gwent local immigration team, please visit our local immigration team page on this website.