Four individuals have been arrested in the Blackpool and Fleetwood areas for working without the required UK work permit or visas.
Officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) arrested the individuals after they received information regarding the Golden Chef in Blackpool, where they discovered a 25-year-old Chinese man who had no right to remain in the UK. The officers also visited Michael's India Restaurant in Thornton, where they arrested two men – a Bangladeshi and Pakistani – for overstaying a UK visa and working in breach of a student visa.
The fourth man was arrested during a check of a newsagents and off-licence in Blackpool, where a 24-year-old Indian man was found to be working illegally and working in breach of his student visa.
Simon Cahill, operations director for the north west with the UKBA, commented: "We will not tolerate illegal working, which undercuts wages and can exploit vulnerable workers.
"The UK Border Agency is also targeting employers. We are happy to work with businesses and advise what checks need to be carried out on staff, but those who do break the law should know that they will face heavy fines."
The Chinese man has since been released on immigration bail, while the remaining three men remain in immigration detention pending their removal from the country.