Five suspected illegal immigrants arrested in raid on Exeter restaurant

/ 6:57 PM /


FIVE suspected illegal immigrants have been arrested following a raid on a popular city restaurant.

Immigration officers from the UK Border Agency, supported by Devon and Cornwall police, targeted the Gandhi Indian restaurant in New North Road.

They arrested four men on suspicion of entering the country illegally and a fifth man on suspicion of being in the UK on an expired six-month visa.

The men, aged between 19 and 27, are all from Bangladesh.

A sixth man, aged 23 and from Vietnam, was arrested at UK Nails, in the Harlequin Centre, Paul Street.

He is believed to be a failed asylum seeker.

The men face removal from the UK if they are found to have committed immigration offences.

Six immigration officers from the UK Border Agency's Plymouth office carried out the intelligence-led operation.

The men were still being interviewed yesterday after being arrested on Thursday between 6.45pm and 7pm.

The Gandhi, which opened in 1991, has become one of the city's most prestigious restaurants.

It was extended and underwent refurbishment three years ago.

Owner Mahmudur Rahman was not available for comment yesterday.

The manager of UK Nails, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Echo that the man arrested at the shop did not work there.

A spokesman for the UK Border Agency confirmed: "Six men have been arrested on suspicion of immigration offences after the UK Border Agency carried out two intelligence-led visits to businesses in Exeter.

"All six suspected immigration offenders were taken to Heavitree Road police station in Exeter, where they were detained overnight before being questioned further by officers yesterday.

"If they are found to have committed immigration offences, steps will be taken to remove them from the UK as soon as possible."

The operation comes at a time of huge reform to the UK's immigration system.

From the end of this month, ID cards for foreign nationals are being rolled out, which the Home Office says will help to protect against identity fraud and illegal working.

The Government recently introduced an Australian-style points-based system for managing migration, ensuring that only those with the skills needed in the UK are allowed to work.

The Gandhi could face fines of thousands of pounds if the workers are found to have been working illegally for the restaurant.

New penalties for businesses who fail to carry out proper checks when employing migrants from outside Europe were introduced by the Government in February this year, allowing employers to be fined up to £10,000 per illegal employee.

A police spokesman confirmed officers had assisted in the arrests and that the six men had been detained at Heavitree Road police station for questioning.