A Chinese man has been arrested and detained after being found working illegally in a Belfast takeaway during a raid by UK Border Agency (UKBA) officers.
The enforcement operation on Wednesday 6 June was carried out as part of a nationwide campaign to tackle immigration crime.
UKBA officers targeted the Ruby Star takeaway on Castlereagh Road to question staff and ensure they had the right to work in the UK.
Following checks on the employees, a Chinese man aged 26 years who had overstayed his visa was arrested for working illegally. He is currently being detained while steps are taken to remove him from the UK.
The Ruby Star has been issued with a fine notice for employing the illegal worker. If the employers are unable to prove they conducted the correct pre-employment checks before giving the man a job – such as asking for a passport or a Home Office document – they may be liable for a fine of up to £10,000.
Mike Golden, assistant director, UK Border Agency in Northern Ireland said:
‘This is the latest in a series of operations we’ve carried out to tackle immigration crime in Northern Ireland, and more are planned. If people ignore our immigration laws, we will find them and remove them from the country.
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.’
Every year, UKBA impose fines on thousands of companies which fail to carry out legally-required checks on their staff.