A problem with workers' UK visas has resulted in a possible fine for one Newcastle restaurant.
Investigators from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) arrested four employees at Mangos in the North East town's China Town earlier this month (September 9th).
Following the receipt of information from intelligence reports and discussions with other staff, the officers arrested all four members of the restaurant's kitchen staff. The charges brought against them range from working in the UK illegally to working in breach of UK visa conditions.
Enquiries are continuing with regards to the individuals' futures but the restaurant itself could face a fine of £40,000. It has already been issued of a civil penalty notice and the charge will be imposed should Mangos fail to provide evidence that it conducted the correct right-to-work checks before hiring the four people concerned.
Wallace Wilson, manager of the UKBA's local immigration team for Northumbria, commented: "Immigration crime is not victimless. It preys on vulnerable people and defrauds the taxpayer out of huge sums of money at a time when the country can least afford it.
"It also undercuts those businesses that play by the rules and ply an honest trade. We would encourage anyone with genuine information about suspected illegal working to get in touch."