AN ILLEGAL immigrant was returned to his home country today (June 29) after a raid at a takeaway in Dunstable.
The 31-year-old Pakistani man was arrested in a UK Border Agency operation at Papa John’s in High Street North on June 21.
The man and two others, all wearing the takeaway’s uniform, were seen attempting to leave from the rear of the premises and were stopped by officers at the back door.
Checks on the 31-year-old revealed he was working in breach of his visit visa and he was detained ahead of his removal today.
The others, aged 50 and 47, had overstayed their visas.
They remain in UK Border Agency detention while work to remove them from the country is carried out.
The business now faces a potential fine of up to £30,000 - £10,000 per illegal member of staff – unless it can prove the correct re-employment checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office documents.
Chief Immigration Officer Alex Swain said: “We carry out regular raids in Bedfordshire and more are planned. Illegal immigration puts pressure on the public purse at a time when the country can least afford it. The UK Border Agency is working hard to tackle illegal working and track down immigration offenders.
“We urge members of the public to get in touch with us if they have any information about suspected illegal immigrants or companies that are employing illegal workers.”
Anyone who has information on suspected immigration offenders can visit http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/contact/report-crime/.