A Newry takeaway faces a fine of up to £80,000 after immigration officers uncovered illegal workers over the weekend.
Immigration Enforcement officers discovered four illegal workers after they paid a visit to Lee Garden in the Merchants Quay area of the city on Saturday night (November 18).
Immigration checks identified a 52-year-old man and 46-year-old woman who had no permission to work.
Also identified were a 50-year-old man who had entered the UK illegally and a 45-year-old woman who had overstayed her visa.
They are all now in detention while steps are taken to remove them from the UK.
The business was served a referral notice in relation to the illegal workers.
The notice warns that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker arrested will be imposed unless the employer can demonstrate that appropriate right-to-work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work.
If proof is not provided, this is a potential total of up to £80,000.
Mike Golden, from Immigration Enforcement in Northern Ireland, said: “Those who use and exploit illegal workers face severe financial penalties.
“We are happy to work with businesses to ensure the right pre-employment checks are carried out, but those intent on operating outside the law will be found and will be punished.”
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