Employees at a Coventry restaurant have been arrested for working illegally, it has been revealed.
Officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) conducted an unexpected raid on the Chinese Kitchen on Far Gosford Street earlier this month. After investigating the UK immigration status of all of the staff they arrested three workers.
Two Malaysian men, aged 25 and 36, were arrested and detained for having overstayed their UK visas. Meanwhile, a Chinese man, aged 24, was released on immigration bail while further evidence regarding his case is considered.
Paula Burton, from the Warwickshire and West Mercia immigration arm of the UKBA, commented: "We are cracking down on companies that try to undercut legitimate businesses by employing illegal workers. Any business that takes on a foreign national without permission to work is breaking the law and faces a heavy fine and possible prosecution."
The Malaysian men have been deported following their arrests, while investigations into whether or not the buildings conducted the required right-to-work checks are continuing.
Chinese Kitchen could face a fine of up to £30,000 - £10,000 for each illegal worker – if it is shown that it did not thoroughly check the immigration statuses of the individuals before hiring them.